Furman vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Furman based on total student enrollment (38,532 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 Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Furman University 10:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Furman vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Furman or UofSC? 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 Columbia than Furman ($24,488 vs. $34,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 18% lower than at Furman University ($13,534 vs. $16,504).
• Furman University is 371.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $47,082 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.2% higher at Furman than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $23,798 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Furman University than at University of South Carolina Columbia (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Furman University students is 499.7% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($42,811 vs. $7,139).

Furman vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Furman University (1350) is 80 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming Furman students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at UofSC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 1260/1430; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 28/32; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Furman - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Furman Jan 15, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Furman (3.61).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than Furman (42.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Furman vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Furman vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Furman and UofSC? 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 Columbia's (70%).
• Graduates from Furman University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than UofSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $2,193 lower median loan debt than Furman graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,443).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Furman graduates ($240 vs. $263).
• More Furman graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC 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.