FAU vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL with College of Charleston in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida Atlantic University is larger than CofC based on total student enrollment (31,607 students vs. 11,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

FAU vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or CofC? 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 Atlantic University than CofC ($10,225 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Charleston are 9.6% lower than at Florida Atlantic University ($14,332 vs. $15,860).
• College of Charleston is 166% more expensive for in-state tuition than FAU (about $8,099 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $4,879.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.1% higher at CofC than at Florida Atlantic University (about $20,972 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at Florida Atlantic University (95% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 20.9% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($10,857 vs. $8,983).

FAU vs. CofC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FAU or CofC? 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 CofC and FAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 110 points higher than at FAU (1120).
• Incoming CofC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at FAU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 1040/1200; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 21/26; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FAU - Required; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at FAU (3.74).
• FAU has a higher acceptance rate (66.1%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at FAU vs. 11.9% at CofC.

FAU vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU and CofC? 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).

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Florida Atlantic University's (43%).
• Graduates of Florida Atlantic University and CofC have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $46,200), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Atlantic University graduates have a $4,639 lower median loan debt than CofC graduates ($16,861 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, FAU graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CofC graduates ($174 vs. $222).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FAU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 54%)

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.