Furman University vs Clemson University

Furman University and Clemson University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in South Carolina, offer distinct educational experiences. Furman, a private liberal arts college, boasts a selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 48%, while Clemson, a public research university, welcomes a larger applicant pool with an acceptance rate of 61%. Furman's student body is predominantly White (73%) and female (56%), while Clemson's student body is more diverse, with a larger proportion of male students (56%) and a significant international student population (13%). Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors at Furman including Business Administration, Psychology, and Biology, and popular majors at Clemson including Engineering, Business, and Biological Sciences. With graduation rates of 87% and 82% respectively, both institutions ensure that their students are well-prepared for successful careers or further education. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional universities and

	Clemson University	Furman University
Overview
Location	Clemson, South Carolina	Greenville, South Carolina
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	94.0%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	49.2%	71.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $80	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $55
SAT range	1220 - 1420	1240 - 1422
ACT range	27 - 32	29 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	40.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	30.0%	29.0%
Total number of applicants	47,007	7,174
Total number of admissions given out	23,138	5,119
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,593	656
Yield rate	19.9%	12.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $34,164 Out of state: $57,156	$69,880
Average net price	$23,732	$33,999
Tuition	In state: $14,118 Out of state: $37,110	$52,992
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,808 Meal plan: $4,426	Room/dormitory: $7,496 Meal plan: $6,202
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	81.0% Average amount $9,699	96.0% Average amount $33,191
Students receiving federal student loan	41.0% Average amount $5,281	28.0% Average amount $5,170
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $21,664	5.0% Average amount $20,783

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	21,653 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%	2,307 Men 40.1% Women 59.9%
Graduate students	5,688 Men 46.8% Women 53.2%	156 Men 20.5% Women 79.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	48.4%	67.8%
International students	4.8%	3.3%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	7,800	2,406
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	South Carolina North Carolina Georgia New Jersey New York	South Carolina Georgia North Carolina Florida Texas

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Education Health Professions Agriculture	Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences Visual & Performing Arts Health Professions
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	85.5%	81.9%
Dropout rate	2.3%	2.4%
Transferred out	11.3%	15.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,776 Year 2: $90,762 Year 3: $98,373 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,762 Year 2: $69,079 Year 3: $82,921 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $74,898 Year 2: $74,262 Year 3: $80,104 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,368 Year 2: $74,721 Year 3: $78,362 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,182 Year 2: $68,592 Year 3: $76,236 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,048 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $76,070 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,632 Year 2: $67,995 Year 3: $74,017 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,398 Year 2: $66,673 Year 3: $73,905 Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,136 Year 2: $66,206 Year 3: $73,720 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,228 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $73,643	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,571 Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $56,414 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,227 Year 2: $40,140 Year 3: $52,939 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,108 Year 2: $36,668 Year 3: $50,384 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $61,615 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $37,568 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $35,060 Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $14,357 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Religion/Religious Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,821 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Furman University and Clemson University?

Furman University is a private, liberal arts university known for its small class sizes, focus on undergraduate education, and emphasis on personalized learning experiences. Clemson University is a large, public research university with a strong emphasis on STEM fields, graduate programs, and a vibrant campus life centered around athletics. Furman offers a more intimate and academically focused environment, while Clemson provides a broader range of academic programs and a more traditional, large-university experience.
How do the academic programs at Furman and Clemson compare?

Clemson University offers a wider array of undergraduate and graduate programs, particularly in engineering, agriculture, and business. Furman University excels in liberal arts disciplines such as humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, with a strong focus on interdisciplinary studies and undergraduate research. While both offer strong programs, Clemson's strength lies in its breadth and research focus, while Furman's lies in its depth and personalized approach to undergraduate education.
What is the typical class size and student-to-faculty ratio at each university?

Furman University boasts a significantly smaller student-to-faculty ratio, typically around 10:1, leading to smaller class sizes and more individualized attention from professors. Clemson University, being a larger institution, has a higher student-to-faculty ratio, generally around 16:1. While Clemson professors are accessible, Furman's smaller environment allows for more direct interaction and mentorship opportunities.
How do the campus cultures differ between Furman and Clemson?

Clemson University has a vibrant and spirited campus culture heavily influenced by its strong athletic programs, particularly football. There's a strong sense of school pride and tradition. Furman University offers a more academically focused and close-knit community. While Furman also has athletics, the social scene is more centered around campus events, student organizations, and the surrounding Greenville community. Furman emphasizes a more reflective and intellectually stimulating environment.
What are the tuition and financial aid options like at Furman and Clemson?

Furman University, as a private institution, generally has a higher tuition cost than Clemson University, which is a public university. However, Furman is known for offering generous financial aid packages, including merit-based scholarships and need-based grants. Clemson also offers financial aid, but the availability and amount may vary. It's crucial to compare the net cost (tuition minus financial aid) at both institutions to determine the most affordable option for your specific circumstances.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at each university?

Both Furman and Clemson offer comprehensive career services to assist students with internships, job placement, and career development. Clemson's strong industry connections, particularly in engineering and business, provide ample internship and job opportunities. Furman's emphasis on liberal arts education equips students with strong critical thinking and communication skills, making them competitive in various fields. Furman also has the 'Furman Advantage' which guarantees an engaged learning experience (internship, research, study away) for every student. Both universities have dedicated career centers and alumni networks to support students' career aspirations.
What is the location like for each university, and what are the surrounding areas like?

Furman University is located in Greenville, South Carolina, a rapidly growing city known for its vibrant downtown, arts scene, and outdoor recreational opportunities. The campus is situated in a beautiful, park-like setting. Clemson University is located in Clemson, South Carolina, a smaller college town nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The surrounding area offers access to outdoor activities like hiking and water sports on Lake Hartwell. Greenville offers a more urban experience, while Clemson provides a more traditional college town atmosphere.
How do the housing options compare between Furman and Clemson?

Both Furman and Clemson offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including traditional residence halls, suite-style living, and apartment-style housing. Clemson, being a larger university, has a greater number of on-campus housing options. Furman's housing is generally considered to be more modern and well-maintained. Both universities also offer off-campus housing options, with varying degrees of proximity to campus.
What types of students typically thrive at Furman versus Clemson?

Students who thrive at Furman University are typically those who value a close-knit community, personalized attention from professors, and a strong liberal arts education. They are often intellectually curious, engaged in campus life, and appreciate a more intimate learning environment. Students who thrive at Clemson University are often those who enjoy a large university atmosphere, a strong sense of school spirit, and a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities. They are often drawn to STEM fields, enjoy a vibrant social scene, and appreciate the traditions of a large public university.
Are there any specific programs or initiatives that distinguish Furman from Clemson?

Furman University is distinguished by its 'Furman Advantage,' which guarantees every student an engaged learning experience such as an internship, research opportunity, or study away program. This initiative emphasizes experiential learning and prepares students for success after graduation. Clemson University is known for its strong cooperative education (co-op) program, which allows students to gain practical work experience in their field of study while earning academic credit. Clemson also has a strong focus on research and innovation, particularly in areas such as automotive engineering and advanced materials.

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