FSW vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, FL with Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida SouthWestern State College is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (14,301 students vs. 13,061 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida SouthWestern State College is located in Fort Myers, FL (Large Suburban setting); Idaho State University is in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting).
• Florida SouthWestern State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida SouthWestern State College 27:1; Idaho State University 14:1.

FSW vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FSW or ISU? 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 SouthWestern State College than ISU ($8,356 vs. $12,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 29.5% lower than at Florida SouthWestern State College ($7,882 vs. $11,185).
• Idaho State University is 153.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than FSW (about $5,209 more per year; $8,610.00 vs. $3,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.6% higher at ISU than at Florida SouthWestern State College (about $14,741 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $12,979.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Idaho State University than at Florida SouthWestern State College (91% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Idaho State University students is 55.2% larger than aid received by Florida SouthWestern State College students ($9,217 vs. $5,938).

FSW vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FSW or ISU? 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 ISU and FSW.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FSW - Open admission; ISU - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at FSW (3.06).

FSW vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FSW and ISU? 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 Idaho State University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than FSW graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida SouthWestern State College graduates have a $13,950 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($9,000 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, FSW graduates have an estimated $144 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($93 vs. $237).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FSW students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 43%)

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.