Palm Beach Atlantic vs. The University of West Florida

Should I go to Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach or The University of West Florida? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Palm Beach Atlantic or The University of West Florida is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach vs. The University of West Florida comparison
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach The University of West Florida College 3 College 4
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach The University of West Florida
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Overview

Palm Beach Atlantic The University of West Florida
Location West Palm Beach, FL Pensacola, FL
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 3,828 13,521
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #491 #727
Religious Affiliation Interdenominational - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pba.edu uwf.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Palm Beach Atlantic The University of West Florida
Tuition (In State) $34,900 $4,319
Tuition (Out of State) $34,900 $16,587
Room & Board $11,690 $11,268
Avg Net Price $30,276 $8,609
Avg Grant Aid $22,749 $11,515
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 84%

Admission

Palm Beach Atlantic The University of West Florida
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,220 9,113
Admitted 5,888 4,377
Acceptance Rate 94.7% 48%
Enrolled % 12% 27%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 21/27
SAT Range 1000/1240 1050/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2025

Academics

Palm Beach Atlantic The University of West Florida
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 22:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (44%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

Palm Beach Atlantic The University of West Florida
Graduation Rate 58% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,300 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,704 $18,750
Median Loan Payment $234 $193

Diversity

Palm Beach Atlantic The University of West Florida
% Men 36% 38%
% Women 64% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 65%
% Black 12% 13%
% Hispanic 17% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Palm Beach Atlantic The University of West Florida
% In-State 46% 66%
% Out-of-State 51% 11%

Campus

Palm Beach Atlantic The University of West Florida
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • The University of West Florida is larger than than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (13,521 students vs. 3,828 students)

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. The University of West Florida Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palm Beach Atlantic or The University of West Florida?

  • Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is 708.1% more expensive to attend than The University of West Florida for in-state tuition ($34,900.00 vs. $4,319.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 110.4% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than The University of West Florida ($34,900.00 vs. $16,587.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of West Florida than Palm Beach Atlantic ($8,609 vs. $30,276)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of West Florida are 3.7% lower than costs at Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach ($11,268 vs. $11,690)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach than The University of West Florida (99% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach students is 97.6% larger than aid received The University of West Florida ($22,749 vs. $11,515)

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. The University of West Florida Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palm Beach Atlantic or The University of West Florida? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between The University of West Florida or Palm Beach Atlantic .

  • The average SAT score at Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach (1065) is 12 points higher than at The University of West Florida (1053)
  • Incoming Palm Beach Atlantic students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at The University of West Florida (23)
  • Accepted freshman The University of West Florida students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Palm Beach Atlantic (3.36)
  • Palm Beach Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (94.7%) than The University of West Florida (48%)

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. The University of West Florida Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Palm Beach Atlantic or The University of West Florida? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between The University of West Florida and Palm Beach Atlantic.

  • The graduation rate at Palm Beach Atlantic is higher than The University of West Florida (58% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach earn on average $5,100 more per year than The University of West Florida graduates after ten years. ($46,300 vs. $41,200)
  • The University of West Florida students graduate with a $3,954 lower median federal student loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates. ($18,750 vs. $22,704)
  • The University of West Florida graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates. ($193 vs. $234)
  • More Palm Beach Atlantic graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of West Florida students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/