FAU vs. St. Thomas University

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL with St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida Atlantic University is larger than St. Thomas University based on total student enrollment (31,607 students vs. 7,652 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); St. Thomas University is in Miami Gardens, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Thomas University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; St. Thomas University 17:1.

FAU vs. St. Thomas University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or St. Thomas University? 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 St. Thomas University ($10,225 vs. $27,844).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Thomas University are 16.7% lower than at Florida Atlantic University ($13,210 vs. $15,860).
• St. Thomas University is 612.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than FAU (about $29,891 more per year; $34,770.00 vs. $4,879.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.7% higher at St. Thomas University than at Florida Atlantic University (about $17,446 more per year; $34,770.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Thomas University than at Florida Atlantic University (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. Thomas University students is 115.1% larger than aid received by Florida Atlantic University students ($23,356 vs. $10,857).

FAU vs. St. Thomas University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FAU or St. Thomas University? 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 St. Thomas University and FAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Atlantic University (1120) is 160 points higher than at St. Thomas University (960).
• Incoming FAU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at St. Thomas University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 1040/1200; St. Thomas University 860/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 21/26; St. Thomas University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FAU - Required; St. Thomas University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FAU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at St. Thomas University (3.24).
• St. Thomas University has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than FAU (66.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at FAU vs. 10.5% at St. Thomas University.

FAU vs. St. Thomas University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU and St. Thomas University? 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).

• Florida Atlantic University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than St. Thomas University's (39%).
• Graduates from St. Thomas University earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than FAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,400 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Atlantic University graduates have a $5,892 lower median loan debt than St. Thomas University graduates ($16,861 vs. $22,753).
• Among borrowers, FAU graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Thomas University graduates ($174 vs. $235).
• More FAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Thomas University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 48%)

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.