Furman vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

Compare Furman University in Greenville, SC with The University of the South in Sewanee, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Furman University is larger than Sewanee based on total student enrollment (2,554 students vs. 1,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Furman University is located in Greenville, SC (Large Suburban setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Furman University 10:1; The University of the South 9:1.

Furman vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Furman or Sewanee? 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 Furman University than Sewanee ($34,086 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of the South are 2.9% lower than at Furman University ($16,028 vs. $16,504).
• Furman University is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sewanee (about $3,650 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $56,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Furman than at The University of the South (about $3,650 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $56,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Furman University than at The University of the South (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Furman University students is 15.2% larger than aid received by The University of the South students ($42,811 vs. $37,171).

Furman vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Furman or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee and Furman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Furman University (1350) is 20 points higher than at Sewanee (1330).
• Incoming Furman students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Sewanee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 1260/1430; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 28/32; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Furman - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Furman Jan 15, 2027; Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• Sewanee has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Furman (42.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Furman vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

Furman vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Furman and Sewanee? 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 The University of the South's (86%).
• Graduates from Furman University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Sewanee graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $6,443 lower median loan debt than Furman graduates ($19,000 vs. $25,443).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Furman graduates ($196 vs. $263).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Furman students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 82%)

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.