FAU vs. Washington State

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL with Washington State University in Pullman, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida Atlantic University is larger than Washington State based on total student enrollment (31,607 students vs. 25,685 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
• Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; Washington State University 15:1.

FAU vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or Washington State? 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 Washington State ($10,225 vs. $18,171).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington State University are 14.1% lower than at Florida Atlantic University ($13,622 vs. $15,860).
• Washington State University is 174.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than FAU (about $8,512 more per year; $13,391.00 vs. $4,879.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.9% higher at Washington State than at Florida Atlantic University (about $12,626 more per year; $29,950.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Atlantic University than at Washington State University (86% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington State University students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Florida Atlantic University students ($10,886 vs. $10,857).

FAU vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Atlantic University (1120) is the same as at Washington State (1120).
• Incoming FAU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Washington State (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 1040/1200; Washington State University 1020/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 21/26; Washington State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FAU - Required; Washington State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027; Washington State Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FAU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Washington State (3.5).
• Washington State has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than FAU (66.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at FAU vs. 19.7% at Washington State.

FAU vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU and Washington State? 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).

• Washington State University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Florida Atlantic University's (43%).
• Graduates from Washington State University earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than FAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Atlantic University graduates have a $3,568 lower median loan debt than Washington State graduates ($16,861 vs. $20,429).
• Among borrowers, FAU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington State graduates ($174 vs. $211).
• More Washington State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FAU students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.