Florida State vs. Miami

Comparable Facts

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

Florida State University is larger than Miami based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 19,852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); University of Miami is in Coral Gables, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Miami is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida State University 17:1; University of Miami 11:1.

Florida State vs. Miami Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State or Miami? 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 Miami ($15,815 vs. $45,397).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 43.4% lower than at University of Miami ($13,474 vs. $23,790).
• University of Miami is 1,007.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $56,960 more per year; $62,616.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 233.3% higher at Miami than at Florida State University (about $43,830 more per year; $62,616.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at University of Miami (91% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Miami students is 341.8% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($40,992 vs. $9,279).

Florida State vs. Miami Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Miami (1400) is 60 points higher than at Florida State (1340).
• Incoming Miami 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 Miami 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; University of Miami 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; Miami - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027; Miami Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida State students have the same average high school GPA (3.7) as students at Miami (3.7).
• Florida State has a higher acceptance rate (24.2%) than Miami (18.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 24.3% at Miami.

Florida State vs. Miami Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida State and Miami? 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 Miami's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Florida State University's (74%).
• Graduates from University of Miami earn a median of about $18,800 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Miami graduates have a $904 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($19,846 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, Miami graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($205 vs. $214).
• More Miami graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.