Skidmore College vs Furman University

Skidmore College and Furman University, both esteemed private institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Skidmore, nestled in Saratoga Springs, New York, boasts a lower acceptance rate (29%) compared to Furman's 58% in Greenville, South Carolina. Skidmore's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of 2,500 compared to Furman's 2,800. While Skidmore excels in liberal arts and sciences, Furman emphasizes the liberal arts and business. Skidmore's graduation rate stands at 88%, while Furman's is 86%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions' unique offerings and determine which aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Furman University	Skidmore College
Overview
Location	Greenville, South Carolina	Saratoga Springs, New York
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Small
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
Students retention rate	91.0%	90.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	71.4%	30.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $55	$65
SAT range	1240 - 1422	1270 - 1440
ACT range	29 - 33	29 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	26.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	29.0%	11.0%
Total number of applicants	7,174	11,176
Total number of admissions given out	5,119	3,419
Admitted students who chose to enroll	656	719
Yield rate	12.8%	21.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not 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	$68,266
Average net price	$33,999	$31,553
Tuition	$52,992	$59,064
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,496 Meal plan: $6,202	Room/dormitory: $9,500 Meal plan: $6,568
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	59.0% Average amount $43,391
Students receiving federal student loan	28.0% Average amount $5,170	39.0% Average amount $4,879
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $20,783	4.0% Average amount $26,954

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,307 Men 40.1% Women 59.9%	2,686 Men 40.8% Women 59.2%
Graduate students	156 Men 20.5% Women 79.5%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	67.8%	68.4%
International students	3.3%	9.1%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	2,406	2,188
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	New York Mississippi Connecticut New Jersey California

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences Visual & Performing Arts Health Professions	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences Visual & Performing Arts Education Foreign Languages and Literatures
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	8:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	81.9%	83.6%
Dropout rate	2.4%	3.5%
Transferred out	15.7%	12.6%
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	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,572 Year 2: $46,087 Year 3: $67,188 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,235 Year 2: $43,575 Year 3: $56,001 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $41,193 Year 3: $43,062 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,416 Year 2: $36,668 Year 3: $40,557 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,722 Year 2: $32,563 Year 3: $39,834 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $18,677 Year 2: $26,933 Year 3: $37,589 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $29,585 Year 2: $20,682 Year 3: $30,907 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,359 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,085 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key academic differences between Skidmore College and Furman University?

Skidmore College emphasizes a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum with a strong focus on the arts and humanities, allowing students to design their own majors. Furman University offers a more structured liberal arts curriculum with a required general education program, including a focus on engaged learning and undergraduate research. Furman also has a strong emphasis on pre-professional programs, particularly in business and health sciences.
How do the campus environments of Skidmore and Furman compare?

Skidmore College is located in Saratoga Springs, New York, a vibrant town with a thriving arts scene and access to outdoor recreation. The campus itself is known for its beautiful architecture and active student life. Furman University is situated in Greenville, South Carolina, a rapidly growing city with a revitalized downtown. Furman's campus is renowned for its picturesque beauty, including a lake and extensive landscaping, creating a more traditional college environment.
What is the student body like at each institution?

Skidmore College attracts a diverse student body from across the United States and internationally, known for its creative and independent spirit. Furman University also has a diverse student body, with a strong representation from the Southeast, and a focus on leadership and community engagement.
How do the costs of attendance compare?

The total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, and board) at both Skidmore and Furman is comparable, and both institutions offer financial aid and merit scholarships to help make education more affordable. However, specific financial aid packages will vary based on individual circumstances, so it's important to review the financial aid information on each college's website.
What are the strengths of the arts programs at Skidmore and Furman?

Skidmore College is particularly strong in the arts, with well-regarded programs in studio art, theater, music, and dance, and a dedicated arts center. Furman University also offers arts programs, but they are generally less extensive than Skidmore's. Furman's strengths lie in its music program and its integration of the arts into its broader liberal arts curriculum.
How do the athletic programs differ?

Skidmore College competes in NCAA Division III athletics, offering a range of varsity sports, and emphasizes a balance between academics and athletics. Furman University competes in NCAA Division I athletics, particularly in football and basketball, and has a strong athletic tradition. Furman also offers a wider range of club and intramural sports.
What are the career services like at each college?

Both Skidmore and Furman offer robust career services to help students with internships, job searches, and graduate school applications. Skidmore's career services often leverage its location near New York City and its strong alumni network in the arts and creative fields. Furman's career services are known for their focus on pre-professional advising and connections to regional and national employers.
Which college is better for students interested in a more structured academic environment?

Furman University generally offers a more structured academic environment due to its required general education curriculum and emphasis on engaged learning. Skidmore College provides more flexibility and encourages students to design their own academic paths.
Which college is better for students seeking a strong sense of community?

Both colleges foster a strong sense of community, but the specific nature of the community may differ. Furman's campus environment and traditions often create a close-knit community. Skidmore's community is known for its creative and collaborative spirit, fostered by its interdisciplinary approach to learning and its location in a vibrant town.
How do the locations of Skidmore and Furman impact the student experience?

Skidmore's location in Saratoga Springs provides access to a lively arts and entertainment scene, outdoor recreation, and proximity to major cities like New York City and Boston. Furman's location in Greenville offers a growing city with a revitalized downtown, access to outdoor activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a strong local economy.

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