Florida State vs. Palm Beach Atlantic

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL with Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida State University is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); Palm Beach Atlantic University is in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting).
• Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida State University 17:1; Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1.

Florida State vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State or Palm Beach Atlantic? 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 Palm Beach Atlantic ($15,815 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 2.4% lower than at Palm Beach Atlantic University ($13,474 vs. $13,800).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 618.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $34,994 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.4% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at Florida State University (about $21,864 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at Florida State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 142.4% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($22,493 vs. $9,279).

Florida State vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida State or Palm Beach Atlantic? 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 Palm Beach Atlantic and Florida State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 250 points higher than at Palm Beach Atlantic (1090).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 22 at Palm Beach Atlantic).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida State students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Palm Beach Atlantic (3.36).
• Palm Beach Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 9.9% at Palm Beach Atlantic.

Florida State vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida State and Palm Beach Atlantic? 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 Palm Beach Atlantic University's (58%).
• Graduates from Florida State University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida State University graduates have a $1,954 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($20,750 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, Florida State graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($214 vs. $234).
• More Florida State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palm Beach Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

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.