Furman vs. BC

Comparable Facts

Compare Furman University in Greenville, SC with Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Furman University is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (2,554 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Furman University is located in Greenville, SC (Large Suburban setting); Bridgewater College is in Bridgewater, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bridgewater College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Furman University 10:1; Bridgewater College 13:1.

Furman vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Furman or BC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bridgewater College than Furman ($11,316 vs. $34,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater College are 10% lower than at Furman University ($14,850 vs. $16,504).
• Furman University is 271.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $43,680 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 271.5% higher at Furman than at Bridgewater College (about $43,680 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Furman University as at Bridgewater College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 10.5% larger than aid received by Furman University students ($47,288 vs. $42,811).

Furman vs. BC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Furman or BC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between BC and Furman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Furman University (1350) is 160 points higher than at BC (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 1260/1430; Bridgewater College 1020/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Furman - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Furman Jan 15, 2027; BC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Furman students have the same average high school GPA (3.61) as students at BC (3.61).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than Furman (42.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Furman vs. 10.1% at BC.

Furman vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Furman and BC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Furman University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Bridgewater College's (59%).
• Graduates from Furman University earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Furman University graduates have a $1,557 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($25,443 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Furman graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Furman graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BC students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.