Head-to-head comparison
University of Florida vs. Florida State University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Florida or FSU harder to get into?
Florida is harder to get into than FSU. Florida's 24.2% acceptance rate is lower than FSU's 24.2%.
Which is cheaper, Florida or FSU?
Florida costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Florida's average net price is $6,541 vs $11,297 at FSU.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Florida graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $71,588 at Florida and $61,675 at FSU.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Florida | FSU |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 24.2% | 24.2% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1320–1480 | 1270–1410 |
| ACT mid-50% | 29–33 | 29–32 |
| Cost of attendance | $22,523 | $25,720 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $6,541 | $11,297 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 35,629 | 32,212 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 91.1% | 85.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $71,588 | $61,675 |
| Setting | Gainesville, Florida | Tallahassee, FL |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Florida's 24.2% acceptance rate and FSU's 24.2% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Florida draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1480 vs 1410 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.
Florida graduates earn $9,913 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. FSU grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Florida is in Gainesville, Florida; FSU is in Tallahassee, FL. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Florida's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (91.1% vs 85.6% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Florida is 54.6% women, 2.6% international, and 12.4% Asian-American. FSU is 56.1% women, 1.9% international, and 3.8% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Florida | FSU |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 54.6% | 56.1% |
| International | 2.6% | 1.9% |
| White | 48.9% | 57.6% |
| Asian | 12.4% | 3.8% |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 23.5% |
| Black | 4.8% | 7.2% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Florida vs. FSU?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Florida if
- Net price matters: Florida costs $4,756 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($71,588 vs $61,675)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- its Honors Program
Pick FSU if
- Your odds are realistic at FSU (slightly easier admit)
- a Tallahassee campus
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
University of Florida
24.2% accept · Gainesville, Florida
Full profile
Florida State University
24.2% accept · Tallahassee, FL
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.