Palm Beach Atlantic vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL with Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shenandoah University is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Palm Beach Atlantic University is located in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palm Beach Atlantic or SU? 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 Shenandoah University than Palm Beach Atlantic ($27,181 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 9.5% lower than at Palm Beach Atlantic University ($12,490 vs. $13,800).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 10% more expensive for in-state tuition than SU (about $3,700 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $36,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at Shenandoah University (about $3,700 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $36,950.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University as at Shenandoah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 10% larger than aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students ($24,747 vs. $22,493).

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palm Beach Atlantic or SU? 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 SU and Palm Beach Atlantic.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shenandoah University (1120) is 30 points higher than at Palm Beach Atlantic (1090).
• Incoming Palm Beach Atlantic students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at SU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Palm Beach Atlantic (3.36).
• Palm Beach Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Palm Beach Atlantic vs. 16.7% at SU.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palm Beach Atlantic and SU? 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).

• Palm Beach Atlantic University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palm Beach Atlantic University graduates have a $2,296 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($22,704 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Palm Beach Atlantic graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($234 vs. $258).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palm Beach Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 56%)

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.