Furman vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than Furman based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 2,554 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Furman University is located in Greenville, SC (Large Suburban setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Furman University 10:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Furman vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Furman or Tennessee? 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 The University of Tennessee Knoxville than Furman ($21,648 vs. $34,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 19.1% lower than at Furman University ($13,356 vs. $16,504).
• Furman University is 332.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $45,958 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.7% higher at Furman than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $26,514 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Furman University than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Furman University students is 274.4% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($42,811 vs. $11,434).

Furman vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Furman University (1350) is 60 points higher than at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming Furman students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Tennessee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 1260/1430; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 28/32; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Furman - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Furman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Furman (3.61).
• Furman has a higher acceptance rate (42.9%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Furman vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Furman vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Furman and Tennessee? 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 Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Furman graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $5,443 lower median loan debt than Furman graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,443).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Furman graduates ($206 vs. $263).
• More Furman graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 69%)

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.