FIU vs. Florida State

Comparable Facts

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

Florida International University is larger than Florida State based on total student enrollment (54,723 students vs. 43,889 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida International University is located in Miami, FL (Large Suburban setting); Florida State University is in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting).
• Florida International 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 International University 24:1; Florida State University 17:1.

FIU vs. Florida State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FIU 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 International University than Florida State ($11,178 vs. $15,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida International University are 2.9% lower than at Florida State University ($13,080 vs. $13,474).
• Florida International University is 16.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $909 more per year; $6,565.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at FIU than at Florida State University (about $178 more per year; $18,964.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at Florida International University (91% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida International University students is 11.5% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($10,350 vs. $9,279).

FIU vs. Florida State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FIU 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 FIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 170 points higher than at FIU (1170).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at FIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida International University 1070/1260; Florida State University 1270/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida International University 21/27; Florida State University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FIU - Required; Florida State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FIU Apr 1, 2027; Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FIU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• FIU has a higher acceptance rate (54.7%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at FIU vs. 30.9% at Florida State.

FIU vs. Florida State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FIU 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 International University's (43%).
• Graduates from Florida State University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than FIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida International University graduates have a $3,522 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($17,228 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, FIU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($178 vs. $214).
• More Florida State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.