Furman University vs Susquehanna University

Furman University and Susquehanna University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Furman, located in Greenville, South Carolina, boasts a lower acceptance rate (48%) compared to Susquehanna's (75%) in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. Furman's student body is more diverse, with 20% international students and 13% African American students, while Susquehanna's student body is predominantly White (86%). While Furman excels in liberal arts and sciences, Susquehanna emphasizes the natural sciences and business. Furman's higher graduation rate (84%) indicates a strong commitment to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Furman University	Susquehanna University
Overview
Location	Greenville, South Carolina	Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	87.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Evangelical

Admission
Acceptance rate	71.4%	76.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $55
SAT range	1240 - 1422	N/A
ACT range	29 - 33	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	29.0%
Total number of applicants	7,174	5,384
Total number of admissions given out	5,119	4,126
Admitted students who chose to enroll	656	555
Yield rate	12.8%	13.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$69,880	$70,800
Average net price	$33,999	$28,130
Tuition	$52,992	$52,380
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,496 Meal plan: $6,202	Room/dormitory: $7,680 Meal plan: $6,670
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	96.0% Average amount $33,191	96.0% Average amount $38,565
Students receiving federal student loan	28.0% Average amount $5,170	69.0% Average amount $5,424
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $20,783	20.0% Average amount $15,830

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,307 Men 40.1% Women 59.9%	2,197 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	156 Men 20.5% Women 79.5%	5 Men 0.0% Women 100.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	67.8%	N/A
International students	3.3%	1.2%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	2,406	2,088
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	South Carolina Georgia North Carolina Florida Texas	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences Visual & Performing Arts Health Professions	Business Communication and Journalism Biological and Biomedical Sciences Education Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	81.9%	74.3%
Dropout rate	2.4%	25.5%
Transferred out	15.7%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,280 Year 2: $58,221 Year 3: $65,753 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,032 Year 2: $47,846 Year 3: $62,846 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,954 Year 2: $46,478 Year 3: $59,114 Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $39,369 Year 3: $48,172 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $25,616 Year 2: $37,424 Year 3: $43,781 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,056 Year 2: $35,060 Year 3: $41,344 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $22,192 Year 3: $36,709 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,088 Year 2: $26,353 Year 3: $28,686 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $18,654 Year 2: $23,538 Year 3: $28,559 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $29,898 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location between Furman University and Susquehanna University?

Furman University is located in Greenville, South Carolina, a growing city with a vibrant downtown and access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Susquehanna University is situated in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, a more rural setting along the Susquehanna River, offering a close-knit community feel and access to outdoor recreational activities.
How do the academic programs at Furman and Susquehanna compare?

Both universities offer a strong liberal arts education. Furman is known for its emphasis on undergraduate research, a rigorous curriculum, and a strong pre-med program. Susquehanna is recognized for its distinctive programs like the Sigmund Weis School of Business and its focus on experiential learning, including study abroad opportunities and internships.
What is the student body like at each university?

Furman University has a slightly larger student body than Susquehanna. Both universities attract students who are academically motivated and engaged in extracurricular activities. Furman tends to draw students from a broader geographic range, while Susquehanna has a strong regional presence, particularly in the Northeast.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Furman and Susquehanna?

The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is generally comparable between the two institutions. However, financial aid packages can vary significantly based on individual circumstances. It's recommended to review the net price calculators on each university's website and apply for financial aid to determine the actual cost.
What are the strengths of Furman University?

Furman University excels in its beautiful campus, strong academics, particularly in pre-med and undergraduate research, and its commitment to a well-rounded liberal arts education. The university also boasts a strong alumni network and a focus on student success.
What are the strengths of Susquehanna University?

Susquehanna University is known for its close-knit community, its emphasis on experiential learning, including study abroad and internships, and its strong programs in business and the humanities. The university also offers a supportive environment and a focus on preparing students for their future careers.
How do the campus environments differ?

Furman University has a more traditional, picturesque campus with a lake and extensive landscaping. Susquehanna University offers a more intimate campus setting with a strong sense of community and easy access to the Susquehanna River. Both campuses provide a safe and welcoming environment for students.
What are the opportunities for extracurricular activities and student life?

Both universities offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including clubs, organizations, and athletic programs. Furman has a more extensive Greek life presence. Susquehanna emphasizes community involvement and offers numerous opportunities for students to participate in campus events and activities.
Which university is better for someone interested in a specific major?

If you are interested in pre-med or a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, Furman might be a better fit. If you are interested in business, international studies, or a more experiential learning approach, Susquehanna could be a better choice. However, both universities offer a broad range of majors, and it's important to research the specific programs and faculty within your area of interest at each institution.
How do the career services at Furman and Susquehanna compare?

Both universities provide career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Susquehanna is particularly known for its strong emphasis on career preparation and its alumni network, which provides valuable connections for students. Furman also offers robust career services, including career counseling and networking opportunities.

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