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Furman University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Greenville, SC · 2,379 students

The verdict

Furman University charges a net price of $30,308/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $121,232. Graduates earn a median $68,635 ten years after entry, $20,275/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6 years — a 20-year net return of $284,268, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Furman University's 6-year payback ranks #525 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 59% of them, and #5 of 60 in South Carolina.

Better ROI than 59% of US colleges#525 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$30,308
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$68,635
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
6 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
43%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Furman University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$30,308/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$121,232our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$68,635Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$20,275/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$23,250Scorecard, 2026
Payback6 yrsour math
20-year net return$284,268our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on Furman University's own numbers. Net price $30,308 × 4 years = $121,232 total. Median earnings $68,635 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $20,275 a year of premium. $121,232 ÷ $20,275 = 6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $284,268. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.

How much debt do Furman University students graduate with?

A median $23,250 in federal loans among completers, or 34% of the $68,635 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of Furman University students graduate?

79% finish their degree. Spread the $121,232 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $153,458 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is Furman University expensive compared with other South Carolina colleges?

Its $30,308 net price runs $14,314 above the $15,995 median across the 60 South Carolina colleges we profile, or $57,254 more across the full degree.

Furman University: frequently asked questions

Is Furman University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Furman University charges $30,308/yr after aid ($121,232 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $68,635 ten years out — $20,275/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 6 years and returns $284,268 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a Furman University degree take to pay off?
About 6 years. We divide the $121,232 four-year net cost by the $20,275/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Furman University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $30,308/yr — about $121,232 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Furman University compare to other South Carolina colleges?
It ranks #5 of 60 South Carolina colleges we track by payback. Its $68,635 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $30,308 net price is above the national median of $16,902.