University of West Alabama vs. FSW

Should I go to University of West Alabama or Florida SouthWestern State College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of West Alabama or FSW is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

FGCU SCF University of South Alabama Alabama Southern Community College TROY Jacksonville State University Valencia College Alabama MDC University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Hodges University University of Southern Mississippi
University of West Alabama vs. Florida SouthWestern State College comparison
University of West Alabama Florida SouthWestern State College College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 University of West Alabama FSW
Location Livingston, AL Fort Myers, FL
Setting Remote Rural Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,860 14,326
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1007
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uwa.edu edison.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 University of West Alabama FSW
Tuition (In State) $9,100 $2,436
Tuition (Out of State) $18,200 $9,750
Room & Board $7,820 $10,044
Avg Net Price $13,786 $7,792
Avg Grant Aid $9,291 $5,728
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 98%

Admission

 University of West Alabama FSW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,131 -
Admitted 2,156 -
Acceptance Rate 68.9% Open
Enrolled % 14.4% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.06
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/21
SAT Range 880/980
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025

Academics

 University of West Alabama FSW
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 27:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (27%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (14%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (56%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Business (5%)
  • Education (4%)

Outcomes

 University of West Alabama FSW
Graduation Rate 28% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,500 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,489 $9,000
Median Loan Payment $273 $93

Diversity

 University of West Alabama FSW
% Men 25% 36%
% Women 75% 64%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 45% 51%
% Black 40% 11%
% Hispanic 2% 28%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 4%

Students

 University of West Alabama FSW
% In-State 81% 92%
% Out-of-State 13% 0%

Campus

 University of West Alabama FSW
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Florida SouthWestern State College is larger than than University of West Alabama based on total student enrollment (14,326 students vs. 5,860 students)

University of West Alabama vs. FSW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama or FSW?

  • University of West Alabama is 273.6% more expensive to attend than FSW for in-state tuition ($9,100.00 vs. $2,436.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 86.7% higher at University of West Alabama than Florida SouthWestern State College ($18,200.00 vs. $9,750.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida SouthWestern State College than University of West Alabama ($7,792 vs. $13,786)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 28.4% lower than costs at Florida SouthWestern State College ($7,820 vs. $10,044)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Florida SouthWestern State College than University of West Alabama (98% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of West Alabama students is 62.2% larger than aid received Florida SouthWestern State College ($9,291 vs. $5,728)

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama or FSW? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between FSW or University of West Alabama .

  • Accepted freshman University of West Alabama students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at FSW (3.06)

University of West Alabama vs. FSW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of West Alabama or FSW? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between FSW and University of West Alabama.

  • Graduates from University of West Alabama earn on average $1,100 more per year than FSW graduates after ten years. ($38,500 vs. $37,400)
  • Florida SouthWestern State College students graduate with a $17,489 lower median federal student loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates. ($9,000 vs. $26,489)
  • FSW graduates are paying $180 less per month on federal student loans than University of West Alabama graduates. ($93 vs. $273)
  • More FSW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 36%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/