Florida A&M vs. Florida Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, FL with Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (9,313 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); Florida Southern College is in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting).
• Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 14:1; Florida Southern College 11:1.

Florida A&M vs. Florida Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida A&M or Florida Southern? 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 Agricultural and Mechanical University than Florida Southern ($13,819 vs. $29,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University are 14.2% lower than at Florida Southern College ($12,328 vs. $14,360).
• Florida Southern College is 661.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida A&M (about $38,255 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $5,785.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148.5% higher at Florida Southern than at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (about $26,315 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $17,725.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College than at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 209.6% larger than aid received by Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University students ($31,394 vs. $10,139).

Florida A&M vs. Florida Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida A&M or Florida Southern? 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 Florida Southern and Florida A&M .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Southern College (1240) is 130 points higher than at Florida A&M (1110).
• Incoming Florida Southern students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at Florida A&M ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 1030/1180; Florida Southern College 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 20/24; Florida Southern College 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida A&M - Required; Florida Southern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida A&M May 1, 2027; Florida Southern May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida Southern students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Florida A&M (3.65).
• Florida Southern has a higher acceptance rate (64.4%) than Florida A&M (20.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.5% at Florida A&M vs. 11% at Florida Southern.

Florida A&M vs. Florida Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida A&M and Florida Southern? 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).

• Florida Southern College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University's (40%).
• Graduates from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Southern College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Florida A&M graduates ($24,000 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, Florida Southern graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida A&M graduates ($248 vs. $294).
• More Florida Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida A&M students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 32%)

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.