Furman University's Graduation Rate at Top of Highly Competitive Schools in The South, According to Study

June 17, 2009

GREENVILLE, SC – June 17, 2009 – Furman University leads the South in graduation rates among “highly competitive” four-year colleges, according to a study recently released by the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research.

The AEI, a non-profit think tank in Washington, D.C., reports that Furman’s graduation rate of 83 percent puts the school at the top of public and private institutions deemed highly competitive in the South. Furman edged out the University of Florida (81 percent).

The report, “Diplomas and Dropouts: Which Colleges Actually Graduate Their Students (and Which Don’t),” divided institutions into regions of the country and into six categories: most competitive, highly competitive, very competitive, competitive, less competitive and noncompetitive. The most competitive institutions graduate, on average, 88 percent of their students while noncompetitive ones graduate 35 percent, the report states.

Before picking a college, prospective students and their parents should thoroughly examine the school’s graduation rate, the AEI advises. The report is available online at www.aei.org/paper/100019.

For more information, contact the Furman News and Media Relations Office at 864-294-3107.