FAU vs. Florida Southern

Comparable Facts

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

Florida Atlantic University is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (31,607 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); Florida Southern College is in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting).
• Florida Atlantic 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 Atlantic University 24:1; Florida Southern College 11:1.

FAU vs. Florida Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU 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 Atlantic University than Florida Southern ($10,225 vs. $29,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Southern College are 9.5% lower than at Florida Atlantic University ($14,360 vs. $15,860).
• Florida Southern College is 802.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than FAU (about $39,161 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $4,879.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 154.2% higher at Florida Southern than at Florida Atlantic University (about $26,716 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College than at Florida Atlantic University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 189.2% larger than aid received by Florida Atlantic University students ($31,394 vs. $10,857).

FAU vs. Florida Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FAU 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 FAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Southern College (1240) is 120 points higher than at FAU (1120).
• Incoming Florida Southern 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; Florida Southern College 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 21/26; Florida Southern College 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FAU - Required; Florida Southern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027; Florida Southern May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FAU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Florida Southern (3.73).
• FAU has a higher acceptance rate (66.1%) than Florida Southern (64.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at FAU vs. 11% at Florida Southern.

FAU vs. Florida Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU 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 Atlantic University's (43%).
• Graduates from Florida Atlantic University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Atlantic University graduates have a $7,139 lower median loan debt than Florida Southern graduates ($16,861 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, FAU graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida Southern graduates ($174 vs. $248).
• More Florida Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FAU students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.