Palm Beach Atlantic vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL with University of South Florida in Tampa, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Florida is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (49,622 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); University of South Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palm Beach Atlantic or USF Main Campus? 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 University of South Florida than Palm Beach Atlantic ($11,579 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palm Beach Atlantic University are 4.4% lower than at University of South Florida ($13,800 vs. $14,440).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 534.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $34,240 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.6% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at University of South Florida (about $23,326 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at University of South Florida (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 111.2% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($22,493 vs. $10,652).

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palm Beach Atlantic or USF Main Campus? 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 USF Main Campus and Palm Beach Atlantic.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Florida (1230) is 140 points higher than at Palm Beach Atlantic (1090).
• Incoming USF Main Campus students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Palm Beach Atlantic).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220; University of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26; University of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USF Main Campus students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Palm Beach Atlantic (3.36).
• Palm Beach Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Palm Beach Atlantic vs. 23.3% at USF Main Campus.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palm Beach Atlantic and USF Main Campus? 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 University of South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from University of South Florida earn a median of about $200 more per year than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $3,557 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($19,147 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($197 vs. $234).
• More USF Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palm Beach Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 56%)

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.