How does immersion create connection at Furman University? It starts with the residency requirement and continues with wraparound advising for all four years. These features lead to deep connections with professors, advisers, and peers.

A residential campus experience

Furman is 100% residential, meaning that everyone is expected to live on campus all four years. The school believes that to be truly engaged on campus, you need to live on campus. The on-campus apartments for upperclassmen are so spacious and well-appointed that they’ll be hard to match on your first job’s entry salary.

The four-year pathway program

According to Audrey Burch of admissions, Furman’s Four-Year Pathway delivers the promise of a personalized pathway, making sure you have all the support you need (https://www.furman.edu/). Every freshman enters Furman as undecided, then takes a two-year advising class with their regular four classes. Year one is meant for exploring and discovering. Year two is for examining and deciding. You declare a major at the end of your sophomore year. Business, political science, psychology, and education are popular majors at Furman.

Campus and academics

The Greenville, South Carolina, school sits on a beautiful 750 acres with the iconic Bell Tower beside graceful Swan Lake. Its smaller population of 2500 undergraduates contributes to the tight-knit community. The student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1 and the average class size is 14. Princeton Review ranked Furman #22 for most accessible professors.

Academic support and outcomes

In addition to the pathway advisers, each student gets a major adviser. If you’re in pre-health or pre-law, you also have a pre-professional adviser. Pre-law students have 100% acceptance to law school, and 83% of those in pre-health are accepted to medical school. Athletes also have advisers.

Perhaps as a testament to close advising and experiential opportunities, 98% of graduates are employed or in graduate school six months after graduation.

Experiential learning opportunities

Engaged learning marks the Furman education; in fact, 95% participate in at least one form of engaged learning–research, internships, or study away. Study away includes study abroad and domestic study opportunities. For those who can’t or don’t want to take a semester off (athletes, for example), there’s a three-week May experience, a topic-focused elective course. Internships can be in the up-and-coming Greenville or in your hometown. The internship office helps you find placement, and will provide you with a stipend if a summer internship is unpaid.

Location and community

U.S. News & World Report ranked Greenville #4 of the best places to live in the U.S. (https://www.furman.edu/campus-life/exploring-greenville/) The fast-growing city is also a top travel destination. From campus, you can bike downtown in 25 minutes or hike the trail to visit trendy Travelers Rest.

Student life and activities

Most students belong to three or four of the 170+ clubs and organizations, and 30% belong to Greek life. Rush is delayed until spring of freshman year. With nearby mountains and parks, many students enjoy the Outdoors Club. Club and intramural sports are popular as well. About a third are athletes.

Division I athletics

Furman University gained national attention for making it to the second round of the NCAA basketball tournament in 2023. The small liberal arts college beat the University of Virginia but lost in the next round. Basketball isn’t their only Division I sport; it’s one of 18 DI teams. According to Deborah Luckett, an IEC in Orlando, FL, and a Furman athlete’s parent, Clint Dempsey (U.S. national soccer team member and CBS commentator) and Walker Zimmerman (current national soccer team member) played on Furman soccer teams. Furman proves that small liberal arts colleges can compete with anyone. The Furman Paladins earned plenty of national respect. And after that, applications increased dramatically.

Residential life details

Furman doesn’t allow students to choose their own roommates. They have a survey and match you with someone they think you’ll get along with well. Athletes may room with athletes, but in general, everyone is coming in not knowing their roommate ahead of time. They do this so that everyone is on the same footing and so that you’ll be more open to getting to know your classmates.

Campus culture

Asked about the school climate, Audrey Burch said it’s inclusive and open, and although South Carolina is a red state, Greenville itself leans more liberal. Only half of students come from the Carolinas.

Application process

You can apply to Furman University Early Action or Early Decision. EDI is due Nov. 1 and EDII, January 15. Early Action is due November 1, and 60% apply EA. Furman wants your official transcript and school report with your application; letters of recommendation, test scores, and résumé are optional. (Don’t send a résumé if it just repeats your activities list.) Furman does consider demonstrated interest. They’ve been test optional since 2011 and don’t plan to require test scores in the future. Over half submit applications without scores. Burch said you should “sell yourself” in your essay and activities.

Of those who do submit scores, the average SAT is 1350, or 30 ACT. Scores are not required to be considered for merit aid.

Cost and financial aid

Furman’s cost of attendance came to $76,274 for 2025, but they offer merit aid of $6,000 up to $36,000 for those with a minimum core unweighted GPA of 3.66. There’s even the possibility of a full ride with a 4.0 GPA for around eight students who demonstrate leadership, community service, and unique involvement. Furman recalculates GPA based upon core courses and considers the rigor of your coursework within the context of your school. They will provide need-based aid if need is demonstrated, though they cannot meet 100% of need. You must submit both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. You’ll get the financial aid package about two weeks after your acceptance letter.

Is Furman right for you?

If you’re looking for a school with DI sports and spirit, if you’re looking for close relationships with professors, and if you understand the value of living on campus all four years, consider Furman University. Visit and you’ll see why it’s on Steven Antonoff’s new College Finder lists of hidden gems, best first-year experiences, and most beautiful campuses.

Here’s another write-up from an in-person visit in 2024: https://www.twobridgescollegeconsult.com/blog/2024/03/03/furman-forges-community/