Furman vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare Furman University in Greenville, SC with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Furman University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (2,554 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Furman University is located in Greenville, SC (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Furman University 10:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Furman vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Furman or VMI? 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 Virginia Military Institute than Furman ($18,825 vs. $34,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 31.5% lower than at Furman University ($11,310 vs. $16,504).
• Furman University is 184% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $38,724 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.5% higher at Furman than at Virginia Military Institute (about $7,132 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $52,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Furman University than at Virginia Military Institute (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Furman University students is 79.7% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($42,811 vs. $23,821).

Furman vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Furman University (1350) is 190 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming Furman students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at VMI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 1260/1430; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 28/32; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Furman - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Furman Jan 15, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Furman (3.61).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than Furman (42.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Furman vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Furman vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Furman and VMI? 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 Virginia Military Institute's (69%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Furman graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $443 lower median loan debt than Furman graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,443).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Furman graduates ($258 vs. $263).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Furman students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.