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Florida State University vs University of Florida

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

25.0% FSU acceptance
23.0% UF acceptance
$26,340 FSU cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

FSU
Tallahassee, Florida
Public
Founded
1851
Enrollment
46,944
Setting
Urban
UF
Gainesville, Florida
Public
Founded
1853
Enrollment
55,211
Setting
Suburban

At a Glance

Tuition FSU saves $6,975
FSU
$21,683
UF
$28,658
Acceptance Rate UF more selective
FSU
25.0%
UF
23.0%
Graduation Rate UF higher
FSU
83%
UF
90%
Avg SAT Score UF higher
FSU
1310
UF
1390
Starting Salary UF higher
FSU
$59,800
UF
$64,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric FSU UF Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$21,683$28,658FSU
Tuition (In-State)$6,517$6,380UF
Room & Board$12,040$11,650UF
Acceptance Rate25.0%23.0%UF
Graduation Rate83%90%UF
Average SAT13101390UF
Student-Faculty Ratio21:117:1UF
Enrollment46,94455,211-
Avg Financial Aid$12,400$12,860UF
Starting Salary$59,800$64,200UF
Endowment$1.1B$2.7BUF
Campus Size1,427 acres2,000 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

FSU
$134,892
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UF
$161,232
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: FSU = $85,292 | UF = $109,792. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

FSU Top Majors

BusinessPsychologyBiologyCriminologyEngineering

UF Top Majors

BusinessBiologyEngineeringComputer SciencePsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
FSUUrban
UFSuburban
Campus Size
FSU1,427 ac
UF2,000 ac
Athletics
FSUNCAA D1
UFNCAA D1
Region
FSUSouth
UFSouth
Founded
FSU1851
UF1853
Enrollment
FSU46,944
UF55,211

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is FSU or UF harder to get into?+
UF is more selective with an acceptance rate of 23.0% compared to 25.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, FSU or UF?+
At sticker price, FSU costs less over 4 years ($134,892 vs $161,232). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. FSU offers an average of $12,400/year in aid while UF offers $12,860/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for FSU and UF?+
The average SAT score at FSU is 1310 and at UF it is 1390. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do FSU or UF graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UF have a higher average starting salary ($64,200 vs $59,800). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
FSU has a 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UF has 17:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do FSU and UF compare for campus life?+
FSU is located in Tallahassee, Florida (urban setting) with a 1,427-acre campus. UF is in Gainesville, Florida (suburban setting) with 2,000 acres. FSU competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UF in NCAA D1.