FSW vs. Parkside

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, FL with University of Wisconsin Parkside in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida SouthWestern State College is larger than Parkside based on total student enrollment (14,301 students vs. 3,925 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida SouthWestern State College is located in Fort Myers, FL (Large Suburban setting); University of Wisconsin Parkside is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Florida SouthWestern State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Parkside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida SouthWestern State College 27:1; University of Wisconsin Parkside 20:1.

FSW vs. Parkside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FSW or Parkside? 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 Parkside ($8,356 vs. $10,234).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 21.8% lower than at Florida SouthWestern State College ($8,750 vs. $11,185).
• University of Wisconsin Parkside is 143.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than FSW (about $4,869 more per year; $8,270.00 vs. $3,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.3% higher at Parkside than at Florida SouthWestern State College (about $4,450 more per year; $17,429.00 vs. $12,979.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida SouthWestern State College than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (80% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students is 28% larger than aid received by Florida SouthWestern State College students ($7,598 vs. $5,938).

FSW vs. Parkside Admissions comparison

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

• Florida SouthWestern State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Parkside 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FSW - Open admission; Parkside - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Parkside students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at FSW (3.06).

FSW vs. Parkside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FSW and Parkside? 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 University of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than FSW graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida SouthWestern State College graduates have a $13,965 lower median loan debt than Parkside graduates ($9,000 vs. $22,965).
• Among borrowers, FSW graduates have an estimated $144 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Parkside graduates ($93 vs. $237).
• More Parkside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FSW students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.