Auburn vs. Florida State

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL with Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida State University is larger than Auburn based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 34,145 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); Florida State University is in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; Florida State University 17:1.

Auburn vs. Florida State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or Florida State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida State University than Auburn ($15,815 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 19% lower than at Auburn University ($13,474 vs. $16,626).
• Auburn University is 127.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $7,234 more per year; $12,890.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.9% higher at Auburn than at Florida State University (about $16,136 more per year; $34,922.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at Auburn University (91% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Auburn University students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($10,872 vs. $9,279).

Auburn vs. Florida State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or Florida State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Florida State and Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 10 points higher than at Auburn (1330).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Auburn).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; Florida State University 1270/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; Florida State University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; Florida State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• Auburn has a higher acceptance rate (45.9%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 30.9% at Florida State.

Auburn vs. Florida State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and Florida State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Florida State University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Auburn University's (66%).
• Graduates from Auburn University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida State University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Auburn graduates ($20,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Florida State graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Auburn graduates ($214 vs. $222).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.