Furman University vs Erskine College: which has better ROI?
Furman University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $121,232 in 6 years versus 13 years at Erskine College, on median earnings of $68,635 vs $53,459 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Furman University | Erskine College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,308 | $16,525 |
| Total net cost | $121,232 | $66,100 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,635 | $53,459 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 6 yrs | 13 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $284,268 | $35,880 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Furman University or Erskine College?
Erskine College, at $16,525 a year after aid versus $30,308 — a gap of $13,783 a year, or $55,132 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Furman University or Erskine College graduates earn more?
Furman University graduates report a median $68,635 ten years after entry, $15,176 more than the $53,459 at Erskine College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Furman University or Erskine College?
Furman University: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Erskine College, a difference of $3,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
79% of students finish at Furman University, against 45% at Erskine College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.