Alabama vs. Florida State

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL with Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida State University is larger than Alabama based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 40,846 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); Florida State University is in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; Florida State University 17:1.

Alabama vs. Florida State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or Florida 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 Florida State University than Alabama ($15,815 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 10.3% lower than at The University of Alabama ($13,474 vs. $15,016).
• The University of Alabama is 115.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $6,524 more per year; $12,180.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.9% higher at Alabama than at Florida State University (about $15,386 more per year; $34,172.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at The University of Alabama (91% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 88.6% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($17,503 vs. $9,279).

Alabama vs. Florida State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama or Florida 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 Florida State and Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 50 points higher than at Alabama (1290).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; Florida State University 1270/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; Florida State University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; Florida State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 30.9% at Florida State.

Alabama vs. Florida State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama and Florida 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).

• Florida State University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than The University of Alabama's (66%).
• Graduates from Florida State University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($20,750 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, Florida State graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($214 vs. $245).
• More Florida State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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.