FSW vs. St. Thomas University

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, FL with St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida SouthWestern State College is larger than St. Thomas University based on total student enrollment (14,301 students vs. 7,652 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida SouthWestern State College is located in Fort Myers, FL (Large Suburban setting); St. Thomas University is in Miami Gardens, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Florida SouthWestern State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Thomas University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida SouthWestern State College 27:1; St. Thomas University 17:1.

FSW vs. St. Thomas University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FSW or St. Thomas University? 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 St. Thomas University ($8,356 vs. $27,844).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida SouthWestern State College are 15.3% lower than at St. Thomas University ($11,185 vs. $13,210).
• St. Thomas University is 922.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than FSW (about $31,369 more per year; $34,770.00 vs. $3,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 167.9% higher at St. Thomas University than at Florida SouthWestern State College (about $21,791 more per year; $34,770.00 vs. $12,979.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Thomas University than at Florida SouthWestern State College (99% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. Thomas University students is 293.3% larger than aid received by Florida SouthWestern State College students ($23,356 vs. $5,938).

FSW vs. St. Thomas University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FSW or St. Thomas University? 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 St. Thomas University and FSW.

• Florida SouthWestern State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt. Thomas University 860/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt. Thomas University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FSW - Open admission; St. Thomas University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman St. Thomas University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at FSW (3.06).

FSW vs. St. Thomas University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FSW and St. Thomas University? 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 St. Thomas University earn a median of about $19,000 more per year than FSW graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida SouthWestern State College graduates have a $13,753 lower median loan debt than St. Thomas University graduates ($9,000 vs. $22,753).
• Among borrowers, FSW graduates have an estimated $142 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Thomas University graduates ($93 vs. $235).
• More St. Thomas University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FSW students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.