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Florida State University vs University of Minnesota

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

25.0% FSU acceptance
75.0% UMN acceptance
$62,196 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
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Public
Founded
1851
Enrollment
54,890
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition FSU saves $14,719
FSU
$21,683
UMN
$36,402
Acceptance Rate FSU more selective
FSU
25.0%
UMN
75.0%
Graduation Rate Same
FSU
83%
UMN
83%
Avg SAT Score UMN higher
FSU
1310
UMN
1370
Starting Salary UMN higher
FSU
$59,800
UMN
$64,800

Detailed Comparison

Metric FSU UMN Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$21,683$36,402FSU
Tuition (In-State)$6,517$15,588FSU
Room & Board$12,040$12,870FSU
Acceptance Rate25.0%75.0%FSU
Graduation Rate83%83%Tie
Average SAT13101370UMN
Student-Faculty Ratio21:117:1UMN
Enrollment46,94454,890-
Avg Financial Aid$12,400$15,100UMN
Starting Salary$59,800$64,800UMN
Endowment$1.1B$4.4BUMN
Campus Size1,427 acres1,204 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

FSU
$134,892
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UMN
$197,088
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: FSU = $85,292 | UMN = $136,688. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

FSU Top Majors

BusinessPsychologyBiologyCriminologyEngineering

UMN Top Majors

PsychologyBiologyEngineeringComputer ScienceBusiness

Campus & Student Life

Setting
FSUUrban
UMNUrban
Campus Size
FSU1,427 ac
UMN1,204 ac
Athletics
FSUNCAA D1
UMNNCAA D1
Region
FSUSouth
UMNMidwest
Founded
FSU1851
UMN1851
Enrollment
FSU46,944
UMN54,890

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is FSU or UMN harder to get into?+
FSU is more selective with an acceptance rate of 25.0% compared to 75.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, FSU or UMN?+
At sticker price, FSU costs less over 4 years ($134,892 vs $197,088). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. FSU offers an average of $12,400/year in aid while UMN offers $15,100/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for FSU and UMN?+
The average SAT score at FSU is 1310 and at UMN it is 1370. 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 UMN graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UMN have a higher average starting salary ($64,800 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 UMN has 17:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do FSU and UMN compare for campus life?+
FSU is located in Tallahassee, Florida (urban setting) with a 1,427-acre campus. UMN is in Minneapolis, Minnesota (urban setting) with 1,204 acres. FSU competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UMN in NCAA D1.