Florida Southern vs. Florida State

Comparable Facts

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

Florida State University is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Florida Southern vs. Florida State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida Southern or Florida 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 State University than Florida Southern ($15,815 vs. $29,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 6.2% lower than at Florida Southern College ($13,474 vs. $14,360).
• Florida Southern College is 678.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $38,384 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.4% higher at Florida Southern than at Florida State University (about $25,254 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College than at Florida State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 238.3% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($31,394 vs. $9,279).

Florida Southern vs. Florida State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 100 points higher than at Florida Southern (1240).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Florida Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 1150/1330; Florida State University 1270/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 25/30; Florida State University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida Southern - Test optional; Florida State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Southern May 1, 2027; Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida Southern students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• Florida Southern has a higher acceptance rate (64.4%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Florida Southern vs. 30.9% at Florida State.

Florida Southern vs. Florida State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida Southern and Florida 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).

• Florida State University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Florida Southern College's (55%).
• Graduates from Florida State University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida State University graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Florida Southern graduates ($20,750 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Florida State graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida Southern graduates ($214 vs. $248).
• More Florida Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 63%)

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.