Florida Southern vs. University of West Florida

Comparable Facts

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

University of West Florida is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (14,822 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Southern College is located in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting); University of West Florida is in Pensacola, FL (Small City setting).
• Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of West Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Southern College 11:1; University of West Florida 22:1.

Florida Southern vs. University of West Florida Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida Southern or University of West Florida? 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 University of West Florida than Florida Southern ($10,092 vs. $29,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Florida are 13.4% lower than at Florida Southern College ($12,432 vs. $14,360).
• Florida Southern College is 592.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of West Florida (about $37,680 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $6,360.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.9% higher at Florida Southern than at University of West Florida (about $24,799 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $19,241.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College than at University of West Florida (100% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 227.2% larger than aid received by University of West Florida students ($31,394 vs. $9,595).

Florida Southern vs. University of West Florida Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida Southern or University of West Florida? 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 University of West Florida and Florida Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Southern College (1240) is 110 points higher than at University of West Florida (1130).
• Incoming Florida Southern students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at University of West Florida).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 1150/1330; University of West Florida 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 25/30; University of West Florida 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida Southern - Test optional; University of West Florida - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Southern May 1, 2027; University of West Florida Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida Southern students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at University of West Florida (3.6).
• Florida Southern has a higher acceptance rate (64.4%) than University of West Florida (58.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Florida Southern vs. 26.1% at University of West Florida.

Florida Southern vs. University of West Florida Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida Southern and University of West Florida? 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 University of West Florida's (48%).
• Graduates from Florida Southern College earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than University of West Florida graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of West Florida graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than Florida Southern graduates ($18,750 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, University of West Florida graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida Southern graduates ($193 vs. $248).
• More Florida Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Florida students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 55%)

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.