Furman at a Glance
Introduction
Founded in 1826, Furman University is an independent, coeducational, liberal arts college located on the outskirts of Greenville, South Carolina. Furman is accredited to award bachelor's and masters' degrees by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of colleges and schools.
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Mission
The primary mission of Furman as a liberal arts college is to provide a distinctive undergraduate education encompassing humanities, fine arts, social sciences, mathematics and the natural sciences and selected professional disciplines.
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Core Values
Furman University is an institution of liberal learning offering a comprehensive education in an ecumenical and interfaith setting. The University is committed to a set of values which it believes to be enduring and basic.
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Full Statement of Character and Values
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Campus
Situated in the scenic Carolina foothills on a beautifully designed 750-acre campus, Furman has 36 major buildings on campus, most of which are faced with handmade Virginia brick. The campus includes a newly renovated science complex with more than $6 million of scientific equipment; 2,000 seat auditorium; music complex with recital halls and technology lab; physical activities center with pool and workout facilities; chapel; 16,000 seat football stadium; tennis center; soccer stadium; lake; and 18-hole golf course.
Virtual Tour
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Library
The James Buchanan Duke Library houses more than 500,000 volumes and acquires approximately 10,000 new titles each year. An expansion of the library that doubled the size was completed in Fall 2004.
Library website
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Enrollment
For the Fall 2009 term enrollment is 2634, 1504 women and 1130 men. Of this student body 7.4% are African-American, 2.9% are Asian, 2.1% are Hispanic, and 2.9% are multiracial or other. The entering freshman class for 2009 is composed of 365 women and 291 men, of which 5.6% are African-American, 2.0% are Asian, 2.2% are Hispanic, and 4.7% are multiracial. 47 states and 46 countries are represented in the student body.
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Retention/Graduation
92.5% of Furman freshmen return for their sophomore year. 83% graduate in four years; 84% in five years.
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Post-Graduate Outcomes
Nine years of post-graduate employment and graduate school information for Furman graduates can be found by
clicking here.
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Admissions
For the entering class in Fall 2009, 4,538 applications were received for a freshman class of just over 650. The middle 50% range for SAT scores for those entering was 1200-1380 and 61% were in the top 10% of their high school classes.
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Financial Aid
Financial Aid Website
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Programs of Study and Degrees
Furman offers majors in 42 subjects, the ability to choose a supplementary concentration, such as women's studies, Latin American studies, classical studies or environmental studies. Additionally, a teacher education program and premedical, prelaw and preministry as well as pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, nursing and ROTC programs are available. Students can participate in cooperative programs in engineering and forestry and environmental studies and may also craft an individualized curriculum program. The university offers the bachelor of arts, bachelor of music, bachelor of science, bachelor of liberal arts, master of arts and master of science degrees.
Catalog
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Engaged Learning
Furman prides itself on its focus on internships, cooperative education,independent study and research programs. More than 50% of all students take part either during the regular term or summer in such programs.
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Faculty and Staff
Furman has 234 full-time faculty with 96% holding the doctoral or terminal degree in their field. 114 hold the rank of professor; 62, associate professor; 55, assistant professor; and 3, instructor. The student-faculty ratio is 11:1. The university has approximately 800 full-time employees with approximately 570 administrative and staff employees. There are also approximately 70 part-time faculty and staff employees.
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Finance
The operating budget for Fiscal Year 2009 was $123.8 million. The university's endowment as of June 30, 2009 is $444.2 million.
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Tuition, Fees, Room and Board 2009-10 Academic Year
| Tuition |
$ 36,296 |
| Fees |
$ 360 |
| Room (double occupancy) |
$ 4,928 |
| Board (unlimited meal plan) |
$ 4,242 |
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Athletics
Furman is a strong competitor in NCAA Division I sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis andtrack. Women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer,softball, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and volleyball. Intramural sports offer 20 activities for student participation. In addition, the Club Sports program offers competition against other universities in powerlifting, cycling, fencing, lacrosse, Aikido, ice hockey, team handball, rugby, soccer, triathlon, ultimate frisbee and baseball.
Athletics Website
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Music
Furman has a long history as a school for the training of performing artists in all areas of music. Regular performances are given by the Furman Symphony Orchestra, Furman University Band, Furman Singers, Furman Chorale, Furman Chamber Group, Furman Jazz Ensembles, Woodwind and Brass Ensembles and Opera Theater. The university also hosts performances by the Greenville Chorale, Greenville Symphony Orchestra and numerous guest artists.
Music Department
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