Florida State vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL with College of Charleston in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida State University is larger than CofC based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 11,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida State University 17:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

Florida State vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State or CofC? 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 State University than CofC ($15,815 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 6% lower than at College of Charleston ($13,474 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 129.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $7,322 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.9% higher at CofC than at Florida State University (about $19,510 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at Florida State University (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida State University students is 3.3% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($9,279 vs. $8,983).

Florida State vs. CofC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida State or CofC? 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 CofC and Florida State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 110 points higher than at CofC (1230).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at CofC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• CofC has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 11.9% at CofC.

Florida State vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida State and CofC? 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 State University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than College of Charleston's (63%).
• Graduates from Florida State University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida State University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than CofC graduates ($20,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Florida State graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CofC graduates ($214 vs. $222).
• More Florida State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

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.