Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Pensacola State

Comparable Facts

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

Pensacola State College is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (9,491 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Palm Beach Atlantic University is located in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting); Pensacola State College is in Pensacola, FL (Small City setting).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pensacola State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1; Pensacola State College 25:1.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Pensacola State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palm Beach Atlantic or Pensacola State? 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 Pensacola State College than Palm Beach Atlantic ($5,376 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palm Beach Atlantic University are 21.4% lower than at Pensacola State College ($13,800 vs. $17,556).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 1,621.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pensacola State (about $38,289 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $2,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 329.7% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at Pensacola State College (about $31,190 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $9,460.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at Pensacola State College (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 246.1% larger than aid received by Pensacola State College students ($22,493 vs. $6,499).

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Pensacola State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palm Beach Atlantic or Pensacola State? 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 Pensacola State and Palm Beach Atlantic.

• Pensacola State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional; Pensacola State - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pensacola State Aug 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Palm Beach Atlantic students have a 0.82 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Pensacola State (2.54).

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Pensacola State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palm Beach Atlantic and Pensacola State? 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 $16,000 more per year than Pensacola State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pensacola State College graduates have a $19,204 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($3,500 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, Pensacola State graduates have an estimated $198 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($36 vs. $234).
• More Palm Beach Atlantic graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pensacola State students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 46%)

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.