FAU vs. FIU

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL with Florida International University in Miami, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida International University is larger than FAU based on total student enrollment (54,723 students vs. 31,607 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); Florida International University is in Miami, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida International University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; Florida International University 24:1.

FAU vs. FIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or FIU? 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 Atlantic University than FIU ($10,225 vs. $11,178).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida International University are 17.5% lower than at Florida Atlantic University ($13,080 vs. $15,860).
• Florida International University is 34.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than FAU (about $1,686 more per year; $6,565.00 vs. $4,879.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.5% higher at FIU than at Florida Atlantic University (about $1,640 more per year; $18,964.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Atlantic University than at Florida International University (86% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 4.9% larger than aid received by Florida International University students ($10,857 vs. $10,350).

FAU vs. FIU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FAU or FIU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between FIU and FAU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Florida International University (1170) is 50 points higher than at FAU (1120).
• Incoming FIU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 23 at FAU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Florida Atlantic University 1040/1200; Florida International University 1070/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Florida Atlantic University 21/26; Florida International University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FAU - Required; FIU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027; FIU Apr 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman FIU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at FAU (3.74).
• FAU has a higher acceptance rate (66.1%) than FIU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at FAU vs. 29.2% at FIU.

FAU vs. FIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU and FIU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The graduation rate at FAU is the same as at Florida International University (43% vs. 43%).
• Graduates from Florida International University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than FAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Atlantic University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than FIU graduates ($16,861 vs. $17,228).
• Among borrowers, FAU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FIU graduates ($174 vs. $178).
• More FAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 53%)

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.