FAU vs. Palm Beach State College

Comparable Facts

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

Florida Atlantic University is larger than Palm Beach State College based on total student enrollment (31,607 students vs. 25,916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); Palm Beach State College is in Lake Worth, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Palm Beach State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; Palm Beach State College 31:1.

FAU vs. Palm Beach State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or Palm Beach State College? 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 Palm Beach State College than FAU ($9,577 vs. $10,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palm Beach State College are 19.1% lower than at Florida Atlantic University ($12,825 vs. $15,860).
• Florida Atlantic University is 60% more expensive for in-state tuition than Palm Beach State College (about $1,829 more per year; $4,879.00 vs. $3,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.8% higher at FAU than at Palm Beach State College (about $6,414 more per year; $17,324.00 vs. $10,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Atlantic University than at Palm Beach State College (86% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 52.8% larger than aid received by Palm Beach State College students ($10,857 vs. $7,107).

FAU vs. Palm Beach State College Admissions comparison

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

• Palm Beach State 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; Palm Beach State College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027; Palm Beach State College Aug 20, 2027.

FAU vs. Palm Beach State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU and Palm Beach State College? 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 $10,200 more per year than Palm Beach State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palm Beach State College graduates have a $11,111 lower median loan debt than FAU graduates ($5,750 vs. $16,861).
• Among borrowers, Palm Beach State College graduates have an estimated $115 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FAU graduates ($59 vs. $174).
• More FAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palm Beach State College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 38%)

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.