FAU vs. Miami

Comparable Facts

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

Florida Atlantic University is larger than Miami based on total student enrollment (31,607 students vs. 19,852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); University of Miami is in Coral Gables, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Miami is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; University of Miami 11:1.

FAU vs. Miami Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or Miami? 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 Miami ($10,225 vs. $45,397).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Atlantic University are 33.3% lower than at University of Miami ($15,860 vs. $23,790).
• University of Miami is 1,183.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than FAU (about $57,737 more per year; $62,616.00 vs. $4,879.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 261.4% higher at Miami than at Florida Atlantic University (about $45,292 more per year; $62,616.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Atlantic University than at University of Miami (86% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Miami students is 277.6% larger than aid received by Florida Atlantic University students ($40,992 vs. $10,857).

FAU vs. Miami Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Miami (1400) is 280 points higher than at FAU (1120).
• Incoming Miami students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 23 at FAU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 1040/1200; University of Miami 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 21/26; University of Miami 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FAU - Required; Miami - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027; Miami Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FAU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Miami (3.7).
• FAU has a higher acceptance rate (66.1%) than Miami (18.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at FAU vs. 24.3% at Miami.

FAU vs. Miami Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU and Miami? 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).

• University of Miami's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Florida Atlantic University's (43%).
• Graduates from University of Miami earn a median of about $24,000 more per year than FAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Atlantic University graduates have a $2,985 lower median loan debt than Miami graduates ($16,861 vs. $19,846).
• Among borrowers, FAU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Miami graduates ($174 vs. $205).
• More Miami graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FAU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.