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Florida State University vs University of Virginia

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

25.0% FSU acceptance
16.3% UVA acceptance
$145,892 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
UVA
Charlottesville, Virginia
Public
Founded
1819
Enrollment
26,082
Setting
Suburban

At a Glance

Tuition FSU saves $34,231
FSU
$21,683
UVA
$55,914
Acceptance Rate UVA more selective
FSU
25.0%
UVA
16.3%
Graduation Rate UVA higher
FSU
83%
UVA
94%
Avg SAT Score UVA higher
FSU
1310
UVA
1440
Starting Salary UVA higher
FSU
$59,800
UVA
$71,500

Detailed Comparison

Metric FSU UVA Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$21,683$55,914FSU
Tuition (In-State)$6,517$20,342FSU
Room & Board$12,040$14,282FSU
Acceptance Rate25.0%16.3%UVA
Graduation Rate83%94%UVA
Average SAT13101440UVA
Student-Faculty Ratio21:115:1UVA
Enrollment46,94426,082-
Avg Financial Aid$12,400$21,700UVA
Starting Salary$59,800$71,500UVA
Endowment$1.1B$14.5BUVA
Campus Size1,427 acres1,682 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

FSU
$134,892
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UVA
$280,784
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: FSU = $85,292 | UVA = $193,984. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

FSU Top Majors

BusinessPsychologyBiologyCriminologyEngineering

UVA Top Majors

EconomicsBusinessComputer ScienceBiologyPsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
FSUUrban
UVASuburban
Campus Size
FSU1,427 ac
UVA1,682 ac
Athletics
FSUNCAA D1
UVANCAA D1
Region
FSUSouth
UVASouth
Founded
FSU1851
UVA1819
Enrollment
FSU46,944
UVA26,082

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is FSU or UVA harder to get into?+
UVA is more selective with an acceptance rate of 16.3% compared to 25.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, FSU or UVA?+
At sticker price, FSU costs less over 4 years ($134,892 vs $280,784). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. FSU offers an average of $12,400/year in aid while UVA offers $21,700/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for FSU and UVA?+
The average SAT score at FSU is 1310 and at UVA it is 1440. 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 UVA graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UVA have a higher average starting salary ($71,500 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 UVA has 15:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do FSU and UVA compare for campus life?+
FSU is located in Tallahassee, Florida (urban setting) with a 1,427-acre campus. UVA is in Charlottesville, Virginia (suburban setting) with 1,682 acres. FSU competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UVA in NCAA D1.