Florida Southern vs. AMU

Comparable Facts

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

Florida Southern College is larger than AMU based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 1,423 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Southern College is located in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting); Ave Maria University is in Ave Maria, FL (Distant Rural setting).
• Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ave Maria University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Southern College 11:1; Ave Maria University 17:1.

Florida Southern vs. AMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida Southern or AMU? 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 Ave Maria University than Florida Southern ($25,294 vs. $29,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Southern College are 0.5% lower than at Ave Maria University ($14,360 vs. $14,432).
• Florida Southern College is 45.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than AMU (about $13,842 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $30,198.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.8% higher at Florida Southern than at Ave Maria University (about $13,842 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $30,198.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College as at Ave Maria University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 50% larger than aid received by Ave Maria University students ($31,394 vs. $20,936).

Florida Southern vs. AMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida Southern or AMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between AMU and Florida Southern.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Florida Southern College (1240) is 110 points higher than at AMU (1130).
• Incoming Florida Southern students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 24 at AMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Florida Southern College 1150/1330; Ave Maria University 1018/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Florida Southern College 25/30; Ave Maria University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida Southern - Test optional; AMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Southern May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Florida Southern students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at AMU (3.6).
• Florida Southern has a higher acceptance rate (64.4%) than AMU (41.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Florida Southern vs. 32.8% at AMU.

Florida Southern vs. AMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida Southern and AMU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Florida Southern College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Ave Maria University's (41%).
• Graduates from Florida Southern College have median earnings of about $42,700 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for AMU.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ave Maria University graduates have a $1,572 lower median loan debt than Florida Southern graduates ($22,428 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, AMU graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida Southern graduates ($231 vs. $248).
• More Florida Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AMU 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.