Florida State vs. Florida Poly

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL with Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland, Florida on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida State University is larger than Florida Poly based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 1,769 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); Florida Polytechnic University is in Lakeland, Florida (Rural Fringe setting).
• Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Polytechnic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida State University 17:1; Florida Polytechnic University 17:1.

Florida State vs. Florida Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State or Florida Poly? 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 Polytechnic University than Florida State ($13,016 vs. $15,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 7% lower than at Florida Polytechnic University ($13,474 vs. $14,482).
• Florida State University is 14.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida Poly (about $716 more per year; $5,656.00 vs. $4,940.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at Florida Poly than at Florida State University (about $2,219 more per year; $21,005.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Polytechnic University than at Florida State University (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida State University students is 6.9% larger than aid received by Florida Polytechnic University students ($9,279 vs. $8,681).

Florida State vs. Florida Poly Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 80 points higher than at Florida Poly (1260).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Florida Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; Florida Polytechnic University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; Florida Polytechnic University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; Florida Poly - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027; Florida Poly Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida State students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Florida Poly (3.53).
• Florida Poly has a higher acceptance rate (57.5%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 20.2% at Florida Poly.

Florida State vs. Florida Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida State and Florida Poly? 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).

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.