FAU vs. SCF

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL with State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota in Bradenton, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida Atlantic University is larger than SCF based on total student enrollment (31,607 students vs. 8,750 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota is in Bradenton, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota 23:1.

FAU vs. SCF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or SCF? 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 SCF ($10,225 vs. $22,034).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Atlantic University are 40.6% lower than at State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota ($15,860 vs. $26,718).
• Florida Atlantic University is 58.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCF (about $1,805 more per year; $4,879.00 vs. $3,074.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.4% higher at FAU than at State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota (about $5,729 more per year; $17,324.00 vs. $11,595.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Atlantic University than at State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota (86% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 62.8% larger than aid received by State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota students ($10,857 vs. $6,668).

FAU vs. SCF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FAU or SCF? 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 SCF and FAU.

• State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota 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; SCF - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FAU students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at SCF (3.1).

FAU vs. SCF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU and SCF? 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 $12,500 more per year than SCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota graduates have a $8,251 lower median loan debt than FAU graduates ($8,610 vs. $16,861).
• Among borrowers, SCF graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FAU graduates ($89 vs. $174).
• More FAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCF students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 35%)

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.