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Florida State University vs University of Washington

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

25.0% FSU acceptance
48.0% UW acceptance
$91,884 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
UW
Seattle, Washington
Public
Founded
1861
Enrollment
51,361
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition FSU saves $20,314
FSU
$21,683
UW
$41,997
Acceptance Rate FSU more selective
FSU
25.0%
UW
48.0%
Graduation Rate UW higher
FSU
83%
UW
84%
Avg SAT Score UW higher
FSU
1310
UW
1380
Starting Salary UW higher
FSU
$59,800
UW
$73,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric FSU UW Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$21,683$41,997FSU
Tuition (In-State)$6,517$12,643FSU
Room & Board$12,040$14,697FSU
Acceptance Rate25.0%48.0%FSU
Graduation Rate83%84%UW
Average SAT13101380UW
Student-Faculty Ratio21:121:1Tie
Enrollment46,94451,361-
Avg Financial Aid$12,400$17,490UW
Starting Salary$59,800$73,200UW
Endowment$1.1B$4.5BUW
Campus Size1,427 acres703 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

FSU
$134,892
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UW
$226,776
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: FSU = $85,292 | UW = $156,816. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

FSU Top Majors

BusinessPsychologyBiologyCriminologyEngineering

UW Top Majors

Computer ScienceEngineeringBiologyBusinessPsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
FSUUrban
UWUrban
Campus Size
FSU1,427 ac
UW703 ac
Athletics
FSUNCAA D1
UWNCAA D1
Region
FSUSouth
UWWest
Founded
FSU1851
UW1861
Enrollment
FSU46,944
UW51,361

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is FSU or UW harder to get into?+
FSU is more selective with an acceptance rate of 25.0% compared to 48.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, FSU or UW?+
At sticker price, FSU costs less over 4 years ($134,892 vs $226,776). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. FSU offers an average of $12,400/year in aid while UW offers $17,490/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for FSU and UW?+
The average SAT score at FSU is 1310 and at UW it is 1380. 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 UW graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UW have a higher average starting salary ($73,200 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 UW has 21:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do FSU and UW compare for campus life?+
FSU is located in Tallahassee, Florida (urban setting) with a 1,427-acre campus. UW is in Seattle, Washington (urban setting) with 703 acres. FSU competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UW in NCAA D1.