Florida Southern vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (8,238 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Southern College is located in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Southern College 11:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

Florida Southern vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida Southern or Jefferson? 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 Thomas Jefferson University than Florida Southern ($29,325 vs. $29,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Southern College are 9.3% lower than at Thomas Jefferson University ($14,360 vs. $15,834).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida Southern (about $3,465 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $44,040.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at Jefferson than at Florida Southern College (about $3,465 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $44,040.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College as at Thomas Jefferson University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 11.5% larger than aid received by Florida Southern College students ($35,007 vs. $31,394).

Florida Southern vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida Southern or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson and Florida Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Jefferson University (1250) is 10 points higher than at Florida Southern (1240).
• Incoming Florida Southern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at Jefferson (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 1150/1330; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 25/30; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida Southern - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Southern May 1, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida Southern students have the same average high school GPA (3.73) as students at Jefferson (3.73).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Florida Southern (64.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Florida Southern vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Florida Southern vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida Southern and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $80,200 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $11,500 lower median loan debt than Florida Southern graduates ($12,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida Southern graduates ($129 vs. $248).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida Southern students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 65%)

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.