Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Greenville, South Carolina
52.6% Acceptance Rate
Furman University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
52.6%Acceptance Rate
3.61Avg GPA
1364Avg SAT
30Avg ACT
$73,760Annual Cost
$68,635Grad Salary
11.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
52.6%
Avg GPA
3.61
Avg SAT
1364
Avg ACT
30
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1260–1425
ACT Middle 50%
28–32
Need-Based Aid
11.2% receive Pell
Furman University, established in 1826 in Greenville, South Carolina, is a prestigious private liberal arts college ranked #46 in National Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News. Known for its science, music, and political science programs, Furman's 750-acre campus features an Asian garden, a lake, and the Shi Center for Sustainability. The university emphasizes undergraduate research, with 70% of students participating in faculty-led projects.
Furman's The Furman Advantage' guarantees every student engaged learning experiences like internships, study abroad, and research. Its location near the Blue Ridge Mountains and downtown Greenville offers cultural and outdoor opportunities. The university also boasts NCAA Division I athletics and a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized education.
Furman University Acceptance Rate
Furman University takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 52.6% each year.
What Furman University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 52.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.61 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.41 – 3.60
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.16
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Furman University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Furman University is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 99 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: March 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Furman University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Furman University is 3.61. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.31 and 3.61? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.81–4.01.Furman University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.61 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.41 – 3.60
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.21 – 3.40
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.20
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Central supplemental essay is built around "The Furman Advantage," the university's guaranteed combination of academics and real-world experience (350-word limit).
- SACSCOC regionally accredited; standardized test scores not explicitly required, but TOEFL is mandatory for non-native English speakers.
- Does not operate open admission; AP credit accepted, but dual/college credit generally is not.
- Test-optional; no official superscoring policy confirmed - submit your single best score if submitting at all.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Furman University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Furman University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Furman University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Furman University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Furman University Without SAT or ACT?
Furman University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Furman University Average SAT Score: 1364
The average SAT score of admitted students at Furman University is 1364 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1364 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1425 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Furman University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1260, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Furman University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 658 | 610 | 705 |
| SAT Reading | 685 | 650 | 720 |
| SAT Composite | 1364 | 1260 | 1425 |
Below 1260, you're behind most admitted students; at 1425 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1350
Can I get into Furman University with a 1450 SAT?
A 1450 SAT puts you ahead of most of Furman University's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Furman University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Furman University is 30.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 30 — Very Competitive
An average of 30 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 28 | 26 | 30 |
| ACT English | 32 | 28 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 28 | 32 |
Can I get into Furman University with a 32 ACT?
A 32 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Furman University's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Furman University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Furman University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Furman University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Anchor your Furman Advantage essay in something specific
The 350-word prompt asks how The Furman Advantage will prepare you for purpose, community impact, and career success. Name a concrete Furman program, research opportunity, or engaged-learning experience - not generic "small classes" language.
Research a specific engaged-learning path before writing
The Furman Advantage guarantees every student combines academics with real-world experience. Identify one actual pathway (research, internship, community engagement) you'd pursue and reference it directly.
Submit ACT/SAT only if it strengthens your file
Furman doesn't explicitly require test scores, though international applicants must submit TOEFL. Domestic applicants near or above a 30 ACT-equivalent should consider submitting; others can rely on the comprehensive secondary record.
Prepare to discuss anything you mention in detail
Furman's own essay guidance explicitly warns applicants to be ready to discuss in detail anything they reference. Don't name-drop a research area or activity you can't speak to substantively if interviewed.
Expert Insight:
Furman's own admissions blog explicitly warns against copy-paste "why us" answers - reviewers can tell when specificity about the campus visit or program is missing. Generic praise for "close community" without concrete detail reads as templated.
Furman University Profile
Full Name
Furman University
City
Greenville
State
South Carolina
ZIP Code
29613-6162
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Furman University Degree Worth It?
At $73,760/year against a $68,635 median graduate salary, Furman University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $71,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.72%.
How much does a degree from Furman University Cost?
The sticker price is $73,760/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
11.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 27.8% take federal loans at Furman University. File your FAFSA early and list Furman University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Furman University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $68,635. That's about 69% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Furman University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
| Centre College | Danville, KY | 1345 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Furman University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 1363 | 30 |
| Emerson College | Boston, MA | 1359 | 32 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Furman University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
Degree Programs at Furman University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Furman University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Furman University run about $68,635 a year.
At about $73,760 a year, Furman University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Furman University's Pell Grant rate of 11.2% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 52.6%, Furman University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Furman University average a 3.61 GPA.
Furman University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.31 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.21, Furman University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Furman University — aim above 1364, ideally within the 1260–1425 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Furman University is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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