Nova vs. Palm Beach Atlantic

Comparable Facts

Compare Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL with Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Nova Southeastern University is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (20,910 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nova Southeastern University is located in Fort Lauderdale, FL (Large Suburban setting); Palm Beach Atlantic University is in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting).
• Nova Southeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nova Southeastern University 16:1; Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1.

Nova vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nova 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 Palm Beach Atlantic University than Nova ($31,231 vs. $31,858).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palm Beach Atlantic University are 18.1% lower than at Nova Southeastern University ($13,800 vs. $16,840).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nova (about $1,950 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $38,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at Nova Southeastern University (about $1,950 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $38,700.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Nova Southeastern University as at Palm Beach Atlantic University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nova Southeastern University students is 11% larger than aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students ($24,965 vs. $22,493).

Nova vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nova 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 Nova.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nova Southeastern University (1170) is 80 points higher than at Palm Beach Atlantic (1090).
• Incoming Nova students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Palm Beach Atlantic).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nova Southeastern University 1030/1300; Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nova Southeastern University 19/28; Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nova - Required; Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Nova students have a 0.63 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Palm Beach Atlantic (3.36).
• Palm Beach Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Nova (73.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Nova vs. 9.9% at Palm Beach Atlantic.

Nova vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nova 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).

• Palm Beach Atlantic University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Nova Southeastern University's (43%).
• Graduates from Nova Southeastern University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,300 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palm Beach Atlantic University graduates have a $2,396 lower median loan debt than Nova graduates ($22,704 vs. $25,100).
• Among borrowers, Palm Beach Atlantic graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nova graduates ($234 vs. $259).
• More Palm Beach Atlantic graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nova students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 44%)

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.