Florida vs. Palm Beach Atlantic

Comparable Facts

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

University of Florida is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (56,311 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Florida is located in Gainesville, FL (Midsize City setting); Palm Beach Atlantic University is in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting).
• University of Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Florida 16:1; Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1.

Florida vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida or Palm Beach Atlantic? 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 Florida than Palm Beach Atlantic ($11,936 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Florida are 12.2% lower than at Palm Beach Atlantic University ($12,120 vs. $13,800).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 537% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida (about $34,269 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $6,381.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.8% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at University of Florida (about $11,991 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $28,659.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at University of Florida (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 107.4% larger than aid received by University of Florida students ($22,493 vs. $10,846).

Florida vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Florida (1400) is 310 points higher than at Palm Beach Atlantic (1090).
• Incoming Florida students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 22 at Palm Beach Atlantic).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Florida 1320/1480; Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Florida 29/33; Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida - Required; Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Palm Beach Atlantic (3.36).
• Palm Beach Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Florida (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.2% at Florida vs. 9.9% at Palm Beach Atlantic.

Florida vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida and Palm Beach Atlantic? 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).

• University of Florida's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Palm Beach Atlantic University's (58%).
• Graduates from University of Florida earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,600 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Florida graduates have a $6,889 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($15,815 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, Florida graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($163 vs. $234).
• More Florida graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palm Beach Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.