Furman vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare Furman University in Greenville, SC with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than Furman based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 2,554 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Furman University is located in Greenville, SC (Large Suburban setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Furman University 10:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Furman vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Furman or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University than Furman ($25,186 vs. $34,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Furman University are 25.2% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($16,504 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Furman (about $7,728 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $59,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at Vanderbilt than at Furman University (about $7,728 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $59,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Furman University than at Vanderbilt University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 50.4% larger than aid received by Furman University students ($64,404 vs. $42,811).

Furman vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 190 points higher than at Furman (1350).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Furman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 1260/1430; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 28/32; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Furman - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Furman Jan 15, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vanderbilt students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Furman (3.61).
• Furman has a higher acceptance rate (42.9%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Furman vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Furman vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Furman and Vanderbilt? 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).

• Vanderbilt University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Furman University's (87%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $28,800 more per year than Furman graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $11,443 lower median loan debt than Furman graduates ($14,000 vs. $25,443).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Furman graduates ($144 vs. $263).
• More Vanderbilt 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.