Palm Beach State College vs. University of West Florida

Comparable Facts

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

Palm Beach State College is larger than University of West Florida based on total student enrollment (25,916 students vs. 14,822 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Palm Beach State College is located in Lake Worth, FL (Large Suburban setting); University of West Florida is in Pensacola, FL (Small City setting).
• Palm Beach State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of West Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palm Beach State College 31:1; University of West Florida 22:1.

Palm Beach State College vs. University of West Florida Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palm Beach State College or University of West Florida? 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 State College than University of West Florida ($9,577 vs. $10,092).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Florida are 3.1% lower than at Palm Beach State College ($12,432 vs. $12,825).
• University of West Florida is 108.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Palm Beach State College (about $3,310 more per year; $6,360.00 vs. $3,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.4% higher at University of West Florida than at Palm Beach State College (about $8,331 more per year; $19,241.00 vs. $10,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of West Florida than at Palm Beach State College (85% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of West Florida students is 35% larger than aid received by Palm Beach State College students ($9,595 vs. $7,107).

Palm Beach State College vs. University of West Florida Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palm Beach State College or University of West Florida? 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 University of West Florida and Palm Beach State College.

• Palm Beach State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of West Florida 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of West Florida 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Palm Beach State College - Open admission; University of West Florida - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Palm Beach State College Aug 20, 2027; University of West Florida Jun 1, 2027.

Palm Beach State College vs. University of West Florida Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palm Beach State College and University of West Florida? 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 University of West Florida earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Palm Beach State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palm Beach State College graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than University of West Florida graduates ($5,750 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, Palm Beach State College graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Florida graduates ($59 vs. $193).
• More University of West Florida graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palm Beach State College students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 38%)

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.