FAU vs. Palm Beach Atlantic

Comparable Facts

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

Florida Atlantic University is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (31,607 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); Palm Beach Atlantic University is in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting).
• Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1.

FAU vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or Palm Beach Atlantic? 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 Palm Beach Atlantic ($10,225 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palm Beach Atlantic University are 13% lower than at Florida Atlantic University ($13,800 vs. $15,860).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 733.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than FAU (about $35,771 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $4,879.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.6% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at Florida Atlantic University (about $23,326 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at Florida Atlantic University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 107.2% larger than aid received by Florida Atlantic University students ($22,493 vs. $10,857).

FAU vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FAU or Palm Beach Atlantic? 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 Palm Beach Atlantic and FAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Atlantic University (1120) is 30 points higher than at Palm Beach Atlantic (1090).
• Incoming FAU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Palm Beach Atlantic).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 1040/1200; Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 21/26; Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FAU - Required; Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FAU students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Palm Beach Atlantic (3.36).
• Palm Beach Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than FAU (66.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at FAU vs. 9.9% at Palm Beach Atlantic.

FAU vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU and Palm Beach Atlantic? 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).

• Palm Beach Atlantic University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Florida Atlantic University's (43%).
• Graduates from Palm Beach Atlantic University earn a median of about $100 more per year than FAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Atlantic University graduates have a $5,843 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($16,861 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, FAU graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($174 vs. $234).
• More Palm Beach Atlantic graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FAU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.