Florida State vs. Florida

Comparable Facts

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

University of Florida is larger than Florida State based on total student enrollment (56,311 students vs. 43,889 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Florida State vs. Florida Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State or Florida? 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 University of Florida than Florida State ($11,936 vs. $15,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Florida are 10% lower than at Florida State University ($12,120 vs. $13,474).
• University of Florida is 12.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $725 more per year; $6,381.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.6% higher at Florida than at Florida State University (about $9,873 more per year; $28,659.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University as at University of Florida (91% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Florida students is 16.9% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($10,846 vs. $9,279).

Florida State vs. Florida Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Florida (1400) is 60 points higher than at Florida State (1340).
• Incoming Florida students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Florida State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; University of Florida 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; University of Florida 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; Florida - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027; Florida Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• Florida State has a higher acceptance rate (24.2%) than Florida (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 42.2% at Florida.

Florida State vs. Florida Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Florida's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Florida State University's (74%).
• Graduates from University of Florida earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,600 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Florida graduates have a $4,935 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($15,815 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, Florida graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($163 vs. $214).
• More Florida graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.