FAU vs. MDC

Should I go to Florida Atlantic University or Miami Dade College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if FAU or MDC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

FGCU UCF BC Florida State Nova FIU University of South Florida St. Petersburg UNF USF Main Campus UT Lynn University Miami
Florida Atlantic University vs. Miami Dade College comparison
Florida Atlantic University Miami Dade College College 3 College 4
Florida Atlantic University Miami Dade College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 FAU MDC
Location Boca Raton, FL Miami, FL
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 30,790 39,139
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #678
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fau.edu mdc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 FAU MDC
Tuition (In State) $2,522 $1,987
Tuition (Out of State) $14,374 $7,947
Room & Board $12,536 $26,406
Avg Net Price $9,839 $5,367
Avg Grant Aid $10,786 $7,209
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 89%

Admission

 FAU MDC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 27,612 -
Admitted 20,279 -
Acceptance Rate 73.4% Open
Enrolled % 21.8% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.74 -
Typical High School Grades A- -
Admissions Standards Moderate Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26
SAT Range 1040/1210
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline May 1, 2026

Academics

 FAU MDC
Student to Faculty Ratio 23:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (68%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Education (3%)
  • Business (2%)

Outcomes

 FAU MDC
Graduation Rate 43% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,200 $34,100
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 41%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,861 $8,703
Median Loan Payment $174 $89

Diversity

 FAU MDC
% Men 9% 4%
% Women 12% 7%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 43% 6%
% Black 20% 15%
% Hispanic 26% 69%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 0%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

 FAU MDC
% In-State 72% 99%
% Out-of-State 22% 1%

Campus

 FAU MDC
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Miami Dade College is larger than than FAU based on total student enrollment (39,139 students vs. 30,790 students)

FAU vs. MDC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or MDC?

  • Florida Atlantic University is 26.9% more expensive to attend than MDC for in-state tuition ($2,522.00 vs. $1,987.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 80.9% higher at FAU than Miami Dade College ($14,374.00 vs. $7,947.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Miami Dade College than FAU ($5,367 vs. $9,839)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Atlantic University are 110.6% lower than costs at Miami Dade College ($12,536 vs. $26,406)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Miami Dade College than Florida Atlantic University (89% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 49.6% larger than aid received Miami Dade College ($10,786 vs. $7,209)

Which college is harder to get into, FAU or MDC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between MDC or FAU .

FAU vs. MDC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, FAU or MDC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between MDC and FAU.

  • Graduates from Florida Atlantic University earn on average $12,100 more per year than MDC graduates after ten years. ($46,200 vs. $34,100)
  • Miami Dade College students graduate with a $8,158 lower median federal student loan debt than FAU graduates. ($8,703 vs. $16,861)
  • MDC graduates are paying $85 less per month on federal student loans than FAU graduates. ($89 vs. $174)
  • More FAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MDC students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 41%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/