Florida Southern vs. St. Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL with St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. Mary's University is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (3,456 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Southern College is located in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting); St. Mary's University is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Southern College 11:1; St. Mary's University 11:1.

Florida Southern vs. St. Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida Southern or St. Mary's University? 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 St. Mary's University than Florida Southern ($20,412 vs. $29,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Mary's University are 10.2% lower than at Florida Southern College ($12,894 vs. $14,360).
• Florida Southern College is 17.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Mary's University (about $6,606 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $37,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.6% higher at Florida Southern than at St. Mary's University (about $6,606 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $37,434.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College as at St. Mary's University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 14.3% larger than aid received by St. Mary's University students ($31,394 vs. $27,464).

Florida Southern vs. St. Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida Southern or St. Mary's University? 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 St. Mary's University and Florida Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Southern College (1240) is 130 points higher than at St. Mary's University (1110).
• Incoming Florida Southern students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 1150/1330; St. Mary's University 900/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 25/30; St. Mary's University 15/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida Southern - Test optional; St. Mary's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Southern May 1, 2027; St. Mary's University Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida Southern students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at St. Mary's University (3.61).
• St. Mary's University has a higher acceptance rate (97.8%) than Florida Southern (64.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Florida Southern vs. 12.6% at St. Mary's University.

Florida Southern vs. St. Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida Southern and St. Mary's University? 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).

• St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Florida Southern College's (55%).
• Graduates from St. Mary's University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Southern College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's University graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Florida Southern graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's University graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Florida Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 59%)

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.