Furman vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than Furman based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 2,554 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Furman University is located in Greenville, SC (Large Suburban setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Furman University 10:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Furman vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Furman or USC Aiken? 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 University of South Carolina Aiken than Furman ($12,236 vs. $34,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 44.4% lower than at Furman University ($9,182 vs. $16,504).
• Furman University is 455.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $49,010 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 181.7% higher at Furman than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $38,552 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Furman University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Furman University students is 380.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($42,811 vs. $8,904).

Furman vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Furman University (1350) is 250 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming Furman students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 22 at USC Aiken).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 1260/1430; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 28/32; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Furman - Test optional; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Furman Jan 15, 2027; USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Furman students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Furman (42.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Furman vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Furman vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Furman and USC Aiken? 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 University of South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from Furman University earn a median of about $14,700 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Furman University graduates have a $557 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($25,443 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Furman graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($263 vs. $268).
• More Furman graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 54%)

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.