FAU vs. Nova

Should I go to Florida Atlantic University or Nova Southeastern University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if FAU or Nova 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.
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Florida Atlantic University vs. Nova Southeastern University comparison
Florida Atlantic University Nova Southeastern University College 3 College 4
Florida Atlantic University Nova Southeastern University
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Overview

 FAU Nova
Location Boca Raton, FL Fort Lauderdale, FL
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 30,790 20,877
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #678 #436
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fau.edu nova.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 FAU Nova
Tuition (In State) $2,522 $35,880
Tuition (Out of State) $14,374 $35,880
Room & Board $12,536 $15,950
Avg Net Price $9,839 $32,756
Avg Grant Aid $10,786 $23,120
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 100%

Admission

 FAU Nova
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 27,612 17,621
Admitted 20,279 12,805
Acceptance Rate 73.4% 72.7%
Enrolled % 21.8% 15.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.99
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Challenging
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/26 21/28
SAT Range 1040/1210 1050/1310
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2026

Academics

 FAU Nova
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%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

 FAU Nova
Graduation Rate 43% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,200 $53,300
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,861 $25,100
Median Loan Payment $174 $259

Diversity

 FAU Nova
% Men 9% 19%
% Women 12% 47%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 43% 31%
% Black 20% 18%
% Hispanic 26% 32%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

 FAU Nova
% In-State 72% 56%
% Out-of-State 22% 39%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Florida Atlantic University is larger than than Nova based on total student enrollment (30,790 students vs. 20,877 students)

FAU vs. Nova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or Nova?

  • Nova Southeastern University is 1,322.7% more expensive to attend than FAU for in-state tuition ($35,880.00 vs. $2,522.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 149.6% higher at Nova than Florida Atlantic University ($35,880.00 vs. $14,374.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida Atlantic University than Nova ($9,839 vs. $32,756)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Atlantic University are 27.2% lower than costs at Nova Southeastern University ($12,536 vs. $15,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Nova Southeastern University than Florida Atlantic University (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nova Southeastern University students is 114.4% larger than aid received Florida Atlantic University ($23,120 vs. $10,786)

FAU vs. Nova Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Nova Southeastern University (1130) is 83 points higher than at FAU (1047)
  • Incoming Nova students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at FAU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Nova students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at FAU (3.74)
  • FAU has a higher acceptance rate (73.4%) than Nova (72.7%)

FAU vs. Nova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, FAU or Nova? 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 Nova and FAU.

  • The graduation rate at FAU is the same as at Nova Southeastern University (43% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Nova Southeastern University earn on average $7,100 more per year than FAU graduates after ten years. ($53,300 vs. $46,200)
  • Florida Atlantic University students graduate with a $8,239 lower median federal student loan debt than Nova graduates. ($16,861 vs. $25,100)
  • FAU graduates are paying $85 less per month on federal student loans than Nova graduates. ($174 vs. $259)
  • More FAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nova students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 44%)

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