Florida Southern vs. Nova

Comparable Facts

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

Nova Southeastern University is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (20,910 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Southern College is located in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting); Nova Southeastern University is in Fort Lauderdale, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Nova Southeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Southern College 11:1; Nova Southeastern University 16:1.

Florida Southern vs. Nova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida Southern or Nova? 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 Southern College than Nova ($29,384 vs. $31,858).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Southern College are 14.7% lower than at Nova Southeastern University ($14,360 vs. $16,840).
• Florida Southern College is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nova (about $5,340 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $38,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at Florida Southern than at Nova Southeastern University (about $5,340 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $38,700.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College as at Nova Southeastern University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 25.8% larger than aid received by Nova Southeastern University students ($31,394 vs. $24,965).

Florida Southern vs. Nova Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Southern College (1240) is 70 points higher than at Nova (1170).
• Incoming Florida Southern students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Nova).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 1150/1330; Nova Southeastern University 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 25/30; Nova Southeastern University 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida Southern - Test optional; Nova - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Southern May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Nova students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Florida Southern (3.73).
• Nova has a higher acceptance rate (73.2%) than Florida Southern (64.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Florida Southern vs. 15.6% at Nova.

Florida Southern vs. Nova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida Southern and Nova? 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 Nova Southeastern University's (43%).
• Graduates from Nova Southeastern University earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,300 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Southern College graduates have a $1,100 lower median loan debt than Nova graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,100).
• Among borrowers, Florida Southern graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nova graduates ($248 vs. $259).
• More Florida Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nova students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 44%)

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.