UNF vs. Palm Beach Atlantic

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Florida in Jacksonville, 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 North Florida is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (16,154 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Florida is located in Jacksonville, FL (Large City setting); Palm Beach Atlantic University is in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting).
• University of North 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 North Florida 19:1; Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1.

UNF vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNF 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 North Florida than Palm Beach Atlantic ($11,135 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Florida are 14.4% lower than at Palm Beach Atlantic University ($11,810 vs. $13,800).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 536.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNF (about $34,261 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $6,389.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.5% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at University of North Florida (about $19,857 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $20,793.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at University of North Florida (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 139.9% larger than aid received by University of North Florida students ($22,493 vs. $9,377).

UNF vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNF 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 UNF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Florida (1170) is 80 points higher than at Palm Beach Atlantic (1090).
• Incoming UNF students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Palm Beach Atlantic (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Florida 1070/1270; Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Florida 19/25; Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNF - Required; Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNF students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Palm Beach Atlantic (3.36).
• Palm Beach Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than UNF (53.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at UNF vs. 9.9% at Palm Beach Atlantic.

UNF vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNF 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).

• Palm Beach Atlantic University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than University of North Florida's (50%).
• Graduates from University of North Florida earn a median of about $900 more per year than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,200 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Florida graduates have a $6,704 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($16,000 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, UNF graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($165 vs. $234).
• More UNF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palm Beach Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.