Furman vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Furman University is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (2,554 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Furman University is located in Greenville, SC (Large Suburban setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Furman University 10:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Furman vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Furman or Sweet Briar College? 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 Sweet Briar College than Furman ($21,322 vs. $34,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sweet Briar College are 7.7% lower than at Furman University ($15,230 vs. $16,504).
• Furman University is 128.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $33,610 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.5% higher at Furman than at Sweet Briar College (about $33,610 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Furman University than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Furman University students is 91.2% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($42,811 vs. $22,387).

Furman vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Furman or Sweet Briar College? 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 Sweet Briar College and Furman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Furman University (1350) is 140 points higher than at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 1260/1430; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Furman - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Furman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Furman students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Furman (42.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Furman vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Furman vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Furman and Sweet Briar College? 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 Sweet Briar College's (70%).
• Graduates from Furman University earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Furman University graduates have a $1,557 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($25,443 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Furman graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Furman graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sweet Briar College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 72%)

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.