San Jose State vs. FIU

Comparable Facts

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

Florida International University is larger than San Jose State based on total student enrollment (54,723 students vs. 37,661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Jose State University is located in San Jose, CA (Large City setting); Florida International University is in Miami, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida International University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Jose State University 25:1; Florida International University 24:1.

San Jose State vs. FIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Jose State or FIU? 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 San Jose State ($11,178 vs. $13,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida International University are 37.6% lower than at San Jose State University ($13,080 vs. $20,971).
• San Jose State University is 28.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than FIU (about $1,845 more per year; $8,410.00 vs. $6,565.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.8% higher at San Jose State than at Florida International University (about $2,046 more per year; $21,010.00 vs. $18,964.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida International University than at San Jose State University (84% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 19.4% larger than aid received by Florida International University students ($12,353 vs. $10,350).

San Jose State vs. FIU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Jose State or FIU? 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 FIU and San Jose State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida International University (1170) is 40 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming FIU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 1010/1240; Florida International University 1070/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 19/26; Florida International University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Jose State - Test-free; FIU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Jose State Dec 15, 2026; FIU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FIU students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than FIU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at San Jose State vs. 29.2% at FIU.

San Jose State vs. FIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Jose State and FIU? 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).

• San Jose State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Florida International University's (43%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than FIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $2,228 lower median loan debt than FIU graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,228).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FIU graduates ($155 vs. $178).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.