Florida State vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL with University of South Carolina Columbia in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida State University is larger than UofSC based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 38,532 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida State University 17:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Florida State vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State or UofSC? 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 UofSC ($15,815 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 0.4% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($13,474 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 124.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $7,032 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.5% higher at UofSC than at Florida State University (about $17,186 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University as at University of South Carolina Columbia (91% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida State University students is 30% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($9,279 vs. $7,139).

Florida State vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida State or UofSC? 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 UofSC and Florida State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 70 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at UofSC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Florida State students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Florida State vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida State and UofSC? 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 University of South Carolina Columbia's (70%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $300 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida State University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($20,750 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Florida State graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($214 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.