Florida Southern vs. University of Dayton

Deciding between Florida Southern College and University of Dayton? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Florida Southern College
University of Dayton

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Florida Southern Lakeland, FL
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Setting
  • Florida Southern Small City
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Florida Southern 3,211
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Type
  • Florida Southern Private 4 Year
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Florida Southern #325
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Florida Southern United Methodist
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Florida Southern Non-profit
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Florida Southern
  • University of Dayton
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Florida Southern $44,040
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Florida Southern $44,040
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Room & Board
  • Florida Southern $14,360
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Average Net Price
  • Florida Southern $29,384
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Florida Southern $31,394
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Florida Southern 100%
  • University of Dayton 95%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Florida Southern 10,800
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Admitted
  • Florida Southern 6,957
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Florida Southern 64.4%
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Florida Southern 11%
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Florida Southern 1240
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Florida Southern 27
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Florida Southern 3.73
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Florida Southern A-
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Florida Southern Difficult
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Florida Southern Low
  • University of Dayton Low
  • ACT Range
  • Florida Southern 25/30
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Florida Southern 1150/1330
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Florida Southern Test optional
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Florida Southern May 1, 2027
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Florida Southern 11:1
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Florida Southern
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Florida Southern 55%
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Florida Southern $42,700
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Florida Southern 65%
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Florida Southern $24,000
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Florida Southern $248
  • University of Dayton $268
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Florida Southern 35%
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • % Women
  • Florida Southern 65%
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Florida Southern Low
  • University of Dayton Low
  • HBCU
  • Florida Southern No
  • University of Dayton No
  • % White
  • Florida Southern 74%
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • % Asian
  • Florida Southern 2%
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • % Black
  • Florida Southern 6%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Florida Southern 11%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Native American
  • Florida Southern 1%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Florida Southern 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Florida Southern 2%
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • % International
  • Florida Southern 4%
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Florida Southern 1%
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Florida Southern 60%
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Florida Southern 38%
  • University of Dayton 41%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Florida Southern Yes
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Florida Southern No
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Florida Southern Yes
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Florida Southern Yes
  • University of Dayton No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Florida Southern No
  • University of Dayton Yes

Comparable Facts

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

University of Dayton is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (10,506 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 Dayton is in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting).
  • Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Southern College 11:1; University of Dayton 14:1.

Florida Southern vs. University of Dayton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida Southern or University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton ($29,384 vs. $32,794).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Southern College are 14.5% lower than at University of Dayton ($14,360 vs. $16,800).
  • University of Dayton is 11.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida Southern (about $5,100 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $44,040.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.6% higher at University of Dayton than at Florida Southern College (about $5,100 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $44,040.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College than at University of Dayton (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 6.4% larger than aid received by Florida Southern College students ($33,418 vs. $31,394).

Florida Southern vs. University of Dayton Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Dayton (1290) is 50 points higher than at Florida Southern (1240).
  • Incoming University of Dayton students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Florida Southern).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 1150/1330; University of Dayton 1200/1380.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 25/30; University of Dayton 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida Southern - Test optional; University of Dayton - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Florida Southern May 1, 2027; University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Dayton students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Florida Southern (3.73).
  • University of Dayton has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Florida Southern (64.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Florida Southern vs. 11.7% at University of Dayton.

Florida Southern vs. University of Dayton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida Southern and University of Dayton? 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).

  • University of Dayton's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Florida Southern College's (55%).
  • Graduates from University of Dayton earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Southern College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than University of Dayton graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Florida Southern graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Dayton graduates ($248 vs. $268).
  • More University of Dayton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida Southern students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 65%)

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.