FAU vs. Florida State

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL 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 FAU based on total student enrollment (43,889 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 State University is in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting).
• Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; Florida State University 17:1.

FAU vs. Florida State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU 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 Atlantic University than Florida State ($10,225 vs. $15,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 15% lower than at Florida Atlantic University ($13,474 vs. $15,860).
• Florida State University is 15.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than FAU (about $777 more per year; $5,656.00 vs. $4,879.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at Florida State than at Florida Atlantic University (about $1,462 more per year; $18,786.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at Florida Atlantic University (91% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 17% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($10,857 vs. $9,279).

FAU vs. Florida State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FAU 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 FAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 220 points higher than at FAU (1120).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 23 at FAU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 1040/1200; Florida State University 1270/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 21/26; Florida State University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FAU - Required; Florida State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027; Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FAU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• FAU has a higher acceptance rate (66.1%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at FAU vs. 30.9% at Florida State.

FAU vs. Florida State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU 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 Florida Atlantic University's (43%).
• Graduates from Florida State University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than FAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Atlantic University graduates have a $3,889 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($16,861 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, FAU graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($174 vs. $214).
• More Florida State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FAU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 54%)

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.