Furman University
Furman University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Furman University at a Glance
Furman University is a private university in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1826 and named after Baptist pastor Richard Furman, the liberal arts university is the oldest private institution of higher learning in South Carolina. It became a secular university in 1992, while keeping Christo et Doctrinae as its motto. As of Fall 2021, it enrolls approximately 2,300 undergraduate students and 150 graduate students on its 750-acre (304 ha) campus.
1826
200 years old
$886M
$885.5 million (2025) (Beneficiary of the Duke Endowment , 1924)
2,283
321
750 acres
Identity
Is Furman University Worth It?
Furman University offers moderate value at $30,308/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $68,635, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 80% graduation rate means roughly 20% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Furman University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 17 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wofford College | 76 | $18,732 | $68,964 |
| #2 | St Olaf College | 57 | $23,874 | $65,543 |
| #3 | Rhodes College | 48 | $28,585 | $66,651 |
| #4 | Gettysburg College | 47 | $31,490 | $71,517 |
| #5 | Furman University | 45 | $30,308 | $68,635 |
| #6 | Connecticut College | 43 | $36,175 | $75,001 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Furman University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in SC.
Best Programs at Furman University
The highest-earning program at Furman University is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $44,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $18,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Furman University earns $44,100, while a Music graduate earns $18,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $21,500 in median debt vs. $26,000 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $30,308/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,100 | $44,100 | $21,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,400 | $37,400 | $25,484 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,100 | $34,100 | $26,294 |
| Music | $18,700 | $18,700 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in SC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Greenville, SC
- Student Body
- 2,379 students
- Admission Rate
- 43%
- Graduation Rate
- 80%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $30,308
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $68,635
- Median Student Debt
- $23,250