Florida Southern vs. Florida Poly

Comparable Facts

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

Florida Southern College is larger than Florida Poly based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 1,769 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Florida Southern vs. Florida Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida Southern or Florida Poly? 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 Polytechnic University than Florida Southern ($13,016 vs. $29,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Southern College are 0.8% lower than at Florida Polytechnic University ($14,360 vs. $14,482).
• Florida Southern College is 791.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida Poly (about $39,100 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $4,940.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.7% higher at Florida Southern than at Florida Polytechnic University (about $23,035 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $21,005.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College than at Florida Polytechnic University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 261.6% larger than aid received by Florida Polytechnic University students ($31,394 vs. $8,681).

Florida Southern vs. Florida Poly Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Polytechnic University (1260) is 20 points higher than at Florida Southern (1240).
• Incoming Florida Southern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at Florida Poly (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 1150/1330; Florida Polytechnic University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 25/30; Florida Polytechnic University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida Southern - Test optional; Florida Poly - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Southern May 1, 2027; Florida Poly Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida Southern students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Florida Poly (3.53).
• Florida Southern has a higher acceptance rate (64.4%) than Florida Poly (57.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Florida Southern vs. 20.2% at Florida Poly.

Florida Southern vs. Florida Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida Southern and Florida Poly? 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).

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.