FIU vs. Miami

Comparable Facts

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

Florida International University is larger than Miami based on total student enrollment (54,723 students vs. 19,852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida International University is located in Miami, FL (Large Suburban setting); University of Miami is in Coral Gables, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Florida International 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 International University 24:1; University of Miami 11:1.

FIU vs. Miami Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FIU 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 International University than Miami ($11,178 vs. $45,397).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida International University are 45% lower than at University of Miami ($13,080 vs. $23,790).
• University of Miami is 853.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than FIU (about $56,051 more per year; $62,616.00 vs. $6,565.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 230.2% higher at Miami than at Florida International University (about $43,652 more per year; $62,616.00 vs. $18,964.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida International University than at University of Miami (84% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Miami students is 296.1% larger than aid received by Florida International University students ($40,992 vs. $10,350).

FIU vs. Miami Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FIU 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 FIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Miami (1400) is 230 points higher than at FIU (1170).
• Incoming Miami students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at FIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida International University 1070/1260; University of Miami 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida International University 21/27; University of Miami 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FIU - Required; Miami - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FIU Apr 1, 2027; Miami Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FIU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Miami (3.7).
• FIU has a higher acceptance rate (54.7%) than Miami (18.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at FIU vs. 24.3% at Miami.

FIU vs. Miami Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FIU 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 International University's (43%).
• Graduates from University of Miami earn a median of about $20,300 more per year than FIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida International University graduates have a $2,618 lower median loan debt than Miami graduates ($17,228 vs. $19,846).
• Among borrowers, FIU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Miami graduates ($178 vs. $205).
• More Miami graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.