Florida State vs. Spelman

Comparable Facts

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

Florida State University is larger than Spelman based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 3,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); Spelman College is in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting).
• Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida State University 17:1; Spelman College 11:1.

Florida State vs. Spelman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State or Spelman? 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 Spelman ($15,815 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 25.5% lower than at Spelman College ($13,474 vs. $18,091).
• Spelman College is 457.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $25,900 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68% higher at Spelman than at Florida State University (about $12,770 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spelman College than at Florida State University (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spelman College students is 14.4% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($10,614 vs. $9,279).

Florida State vs. Spelman Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 130 points higher than at Spelman (1210).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Spelman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; Spelman College 1108/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; Spelman College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; Spelman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027; Spelman Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• Spelman has a higher acceptance rate (24.9%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 23.6% at Spelman.

Florida State vs. Spelman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Florida State University's (74%).
• Graduates from Florida State University earn a median of about $100 more per year than Spelman graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $51,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida State University graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($20,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Florida State graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($214 vs. $279).
• More Florida State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 47%)

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.