MDC vs. Palm Beach Atlantic

Comparable Facts

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

Miami Dade College is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (58,941 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Miami Dade College is located in Miami, FL (Large City setting); Palm Beach Atlantic University is in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting).
• Miami Dade College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Miami Dade College 22:1; Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1.

MDC vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MDC 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 Miami Dade College than Palm Beach Atlantic ($5,766 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palm Beach Atlantic University are 49.4% lower than at Miami Dade College ($13,800 vs. $27,262).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 1,332.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than MDC (about $37,812 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $2,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 320.8% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at Miami Dade College (about $30,989 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $9,661.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at Miami Dade College (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 211.7% larger than aid received by Miami Dade College students ($22,493 vs. $7,216).

MDC vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MDC 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 MDC.

• Miami Dade College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPalm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPalm Beach Atlantic University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MDC - Open admission; Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional.

MDC vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MDC 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).

• Graduates from Palm Beach Atlantic University earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than MDC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Miami Dade College graduates have a $14,001 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($8,703 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, MDC graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($89 vs. $234).
• More Palm Beach Atlantic graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MDC students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 41%)

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.