FAU vs. HCC

Comparable Facts

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

Florida Atlantic University is larger than HCC based on total student enrollment (31,607 students vs. 21,483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); Hillsborough Community College is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hillsborough Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; Hillsborough Community College 23:1.

FAU vs. HCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or HCC? 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 Hillsborough Community College than FAU ($3,333 vs. $10,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hillsborough Community College are 19.4% lower than at Florida Atlantic University ($12,780 vs. $15,860).
• Florida Atlantic University is 94.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than HCC (about $2,373 more per year; $4,879.00 vs. $2,506.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.1% higher at FAU than at Hillsborough Community College (about $8,213 more per year; $17,324.00 vs. $9,111.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Atlantic University than at Hillsborough Community College (86% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 59.7% larger than aid received by Hillsborough Community College students ($10,857 vs. $6,797).

FAU vs. HCC Admissions comparison

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

• Hillsborough Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FAU - Required; HCC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027.

FAU vs. HCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU and HCC? 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 Florida Atlantic University earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than HCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hillsborough Community College graduates have a $7,361 lower median loan debt than FAU graduates ($9,500 vs. $16,861).
• Among borrowers, HCC graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FAU graduates ($98 vs. $174).
• More FAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HCC students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 34%)

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.