FAU vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Florida is larger than FAU based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 31,607 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); University of South Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

FAU vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or USF Main Campus? 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 USF Main Campus ($10,225 vs. $11,579).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Florida are 9% lower than at Florida Atlantic University ($14,440 vs. $15,860).
• University of South Florida is 31.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than FAU (about $1,531 more per year; $6,410.00 vs. $4,879.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is the same at FAU as at University of South Florida ($17,324.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Atlantic University than at University of South Florida (86% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 1.9% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($10,857 vs. $10,652).

FAU vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FAU or USF Main Campus? 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 USF Main Campus and FAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Florida (1230) is 110 points higher than at FAU (1120).
• Incoming USF Main Campus students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at FAU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 1040/1200; University of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 21/26; University of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FAU - Required; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027; USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FAU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at USF Main Campus (3.64).
• FAU has a higher acceptance rate (66.1%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at FAU vs. 23.3% at USF Main Campus.

FAU vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU and USF Main Campus? 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 South Florida's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Florida Atlantic University's (43%).
• Graduates from University of South Florida earn a median of about $300 more per year than FAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Atlantic University graduates have a $2,286 lower median loan debt than USF Main Campus graduates ($16,861 vs. $19,147).
• Among borrowers, FAU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF Main Campus graduates ($174 vs. $197).
• More USF Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FAU students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.