Furman University again ranks among U.S. News ‘Best Colleges’

Furman University is among the most innovative universities in the country and offers one of the best experiences for first-year students, according to this year’s U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” rankings, which were released today.

Among national liberal arts and sciences universities, Furman ranks:

• 45th overall, up one spot from last year
• 7th most innovative
• 17th in best undergraduate teaching programs

Among all universities in the country, Furman ranks:

• 22nd for best first-year experience (above Yale, Michigan, Auburn and other schools)
• 32nd for best undergraduate research program (tied with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Furman is the seventh-ranked liberal arts and sciences university in the South, and the highest ranked university in South Carolina.

The overall ranking is a calculation of several factors, including graduation rate, student-faculty ratio and reputation. The category rankings are decided by university presidents, provosts and deans of admissions who are asked to list the top schools that come to mind in this category.

“Furman’s perennial place among the best universities in the country is a testament to our staff and faculty who continually innovate ways of making a Furman education meaningful and valuable, and to our thoughtful, conscientious and hard-working students who succeed here and after they graduate,” said Furman University President Elizabeth Davis.

The university’s rankings in undergraduate research, student experiences, innovation and teaching reflect the aims of its strategic plan, FUture Focused, which was approved by the Board of Trustees earlier this year. The plan articulates the university’s commitment to:

• becoming a university of innovation and impact,
• creating a vibrant, interconnected community where people flourish, engagement thrives and wellbeing is prioritized, and
• fostering a dynamic and sustainable future.

Furman has ranked among the “most innovative” universities in the country seven times since The Furman Advantage was implemented in 2017. In recent years, the Pathways Program, a two-year program required for first-year and sophomore students that focuses on building personal skills and is steeped in mentorship, has received national accolades. Furman also launched the Center for Innovative Leadership to meet the needs of professionals and organizations.

The incoming class of 2028 were chosen from almost 11,000 applications, an all-time high. Students who enrolled came from 40 states and 26 countries.

Earlier this year Furman ranked 43rd by Niche in “Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America” and was included in The Princeton Review’s “The Best 390 Colleges.”