Florida vs. Florida State

Comparable Facts

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

University of Florida is larger than Florida State based on total student enrollment (56,311 students vs. 43,889 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Florida is located in Gainesville, FL (Midsize City setting); Florida State University is in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting).
• University of Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Florida 16:1; Florida State University 17:1.

Florida vs. Florida State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida 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 University of Florida than Florida State ($11,936 vs. $15,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Florida are 10% lower than at Florida State University ($12,120 vs. $13,474).
• University of Florida is 12.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $725 more per year; $6,381.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.6% higher at Florida than at Florida State University (about $9,873 more per year; $28,659.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Florida as at Florida State University (91% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Florida students is 16.9% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($10,846 vs. $9,279).

Florida vs. Florida State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida or Florida State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Florida State and Florida.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Florida (1400) is 60 points higher than at Florida State (1340).
• Incoming Florida students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Florida State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Florida 1320/1480; Florida State University 1270/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Florida 29/33; Florida State University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida - Required; Florida State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Mar 1, 2027; Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Florida students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• Florida State has a higher acceptance rate (24.2%) than Florida (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.2% at Florida vs. 30.9% at Florida State.

Florida vs. Florida State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida and Florida State? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Florida's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Florida State University's (74%).
• Graduates from University of Florida earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,600 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Florida graduates have a $4,935 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($15,815 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, Florida graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($163 vs. $214).
• More Florida graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.