Florida Southern vs. Florida

Comparable Facts

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

University of Florida is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (56,311 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 Florida is in Gainesville, FL (Midsize City setting).
• Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Southern College 11:1; University of Florida 16:1.

Florida Southern vs. Florida Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida Southern or 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 Florida than Florida Southern ($11,936 vs. $29,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Florida are 15.6% lower than at Florida Southern College ($12,120 vs. $14,360).
• Florida Southern College is 590.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida (about $37,659 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $6,381.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.7% higher at Florida Southern than at University of Florida (about $15,381 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $28,659.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College than at University of Florida (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 189.5% larger than aid received by University of Florida students ($31,394 vs. $10,846).

Florida Southern vs. Florida Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Florida (1400) is 160 points higher than at Florida Southern (1240).
• Incoming Florida students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Florida Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 1150/1330; University of Florida 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 25/30; University of Florida 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida Southern - Test optional; Florida - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Southern May 1, 2027; Florida Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Florida Southern (3.73).
• Florida Southern has a higher acceptance rate (64.4%) than Florida (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Florida Southern vs. 42.2% at Florida.

Florida Southern vs. Florida Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida Southern and 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).

• University of Florida's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Florida Southern College's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Florida earn a median of about $19,900 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,600 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Florida graduates have a $8,185 lower median loan debt than Florida Southern graduates ($15,815 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Florida graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida Southern graduates ($163 vs. $248).
• More Florida graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida Southern students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.