FIU vs. Florida Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida International University in Miami, FL with Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida International University is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (54,723 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida International University is located in Miami, FL (Large Suburban setting); Florida Southern College is in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting).
• Florida International University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida International University 24:1; Florida Southern College 11:1.

FIU vs. Florida Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FIU or Florida Southern? 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 International University than Florida Southern ($11,178 vs. $29,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida International University are 8.9% lower than at Florida Southern College ($13,080 vs. $14,360).
• Florida Southern College is 570.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than FIU (about $37,475 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $6,565.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.2% higher at Florida Southern than at Florida International University (about $25,076 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $18,964.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College than at Florida International University (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 203.3% larger than aid received by Florida International University students ($31,394 vs. $10,350).

FIU vs. Florida Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FIU or Florida Southern? 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 Florida Southern and FIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Southern College (1240) is 70 points higher than at FIU (1170).
• Incoming Florida Southern students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at FIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida International University 1070/1260; Florida Southern College 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida International University 21/27; Florida Southern College 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FIU - Required; Florida Southern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: FIU Apr 1, 2027; Florida Southern May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FIU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Florida Southern (3.73).
• Florida Southern has a higher acceptance rate (64.4%) than FIU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at FIU vs. 11% at Florida Southern.

FIU vs. Florida Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FIU and Florida Southern? 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 Southern College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Florida International University's (43%).
• Graduates from Florida International University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida International University graduates have a $6,772 lower median loan debt than Florida Southern graduates ($17,228 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, FIU graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida Southern graduates ($178 vs. $248).
• More Florida Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 53%)

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.