BC vs. Palm Beach Atlantic

Comparable Facts

Compare Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, FL with Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Broward College is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (30,728 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Broward College is located in Fort Lauderdale, FL (Large Suburban setting); Palm Beach Atlantic University is in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting).
• Broward College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Broward College 31:1; Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1.

BC vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or Palm Beach Atlantic? 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 Broward College than Palm Beach Atlantic ($14,343 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palm Beach Atlantic University are 29.2% lower than at Broward College ($13,800 vs. $19,500).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 1,336.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $37,820 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $2,830.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 354.1% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at Broward College (about $31,698 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $8,952.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at Broward College (100% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 209.8% larger than aid received by Broward College students ($22,493 vs. $7,260).

BC vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Admissions comparison

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

• Broward College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPalm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPalm Beach Atlantic University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Open admission; Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional.

BC vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and Palm Beach Atlantic? 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 Palm Beach Atlantic University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Broward College graduates have a $16,704 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($6,000 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $172 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($62 vs. $234).
• More Palm Beach Atlantic graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BC students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 37%)

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.