Florida State vs. LSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL with Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida State University is larger than LSU based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 41,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); Louisiana State University is in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida State University 17:1; Louisiana State University 21:1.

Florida State vs. LSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State or LSU? 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 LSU ($15,815 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 11% lower than at Louisiana State University ($13,474 vs. $15,142).
• Louisiana State University is 111.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $6,298 more per year; $11,954.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.4% higher at LSU than at Florida State University (about $9,845 more per year; $28,631.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at Louisiana State University (91% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 51.9% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($14,094 vs. $9,279).

Florida State vs. LSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 80 points higher than at LSU (1260).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at LSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; Louisiana State University 1180/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; Louisiana State University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; LSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027; LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• LSU has a higher acceptance rate (73.3%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 23% at LSU.

Florida State vs. LSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida State and LSU? 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 Louisiana State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida State University graduates have a $150 lower median loan debt than LSU graduates ($20,750 vs. $20,900).
• Among borrowers, Florida State graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LSU graduates ($214 vs. $216).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 63%)

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.