Florida International University vs Nova Southeastern University
Admission Difficulty: Nova Southeastern is slightly easier to enter with a 75.80% acceptance rate compared to FIU's 63.86%, though both are moderately selective.
Cost and Value: FIU offers significantly better affordability. In-state students pay $6,565 versus Nova's $37,080 tuition. Even out-of-state FIU students ($18,963) pay roughly half of Nova's cost. FIU's average net price of $9,133 is dramatically lower than Nova's $31,303. Graduates from both schools earn similar amounts after 10 years (FIU: $60,249. Nova: $59,209), but FIU students graduate with less debt ($16,500 vs $24,250).
Academic Strengths: FIU's massive size (38,761 students) provides extensive program variety and research opportunities, particularly strong in business, engineering, and international studies. Nova's smaller enrollment (7,171) creates more intimate learning environments with a better 17:1 student-faculty ratio compared to FIU's 24:1.
Campus Experience: FIU offers Division I athletics and the energy of a large research university in Miami. Nova provides a smaller community feel in Fort Lauderdale with Division II sports and closer student-faculty relationships.
Outcomes: FIU demonstrates superior retention (91.61% vs 76.42%) and graduation rates (73.90% vs 64.30%), suggesting stronger student support systems despite its size.
FIU suits budget-conscious students seeking diverse opportunities at a major research university, while Nova appeals to students prioritizing small class sizes and personalized attention who can afford higher costs.
Admission Difficulty: Nova Southeastern is slightly easier to enter with a 75.80% acceptance rate compared to FIU's 63.86%, though both are moderately selective.
Cost and Value: FIU offers significantly better affordability. In-state students pay $6,565 versus Nova's $37,080 tuition. Even out-of-state FIU students ($18,963) pay roughly half of Nova's cost. FIU's average net price of $9,133 is dramatically lower than Nova's $31,303. Graduates from both schools earn similar amounts after 10 years (FIU: $60,249. Nova: $59,209), but FIU students graduate with less debt ($16,500 vs $24,250).
Academic Strengths: FIU's massive size (38,761 students) provides extensive program variety and research opportunities, particularly strong in business, engineering, and international studies. Nova's smaller enrollment (7,171) creates more intimate learning environments with a better 17:1 student-faculty ratio compared to FIU's 24:1.
Campus Experience: FIU offers Division I athletics and the energy of a large research university in Miami. Nova provides a smaller community feel in Fort Lauderdale with Division II sports and closer student-faculty relationships.
Outcomes: FIU demonstrates superior retention (91.61% vs 76.42%) and graduation rates (73.90% vs 64.30%), suggesting stronger student support systems despite its size.
FIU suits budget-conscious students seeking diverse opportunities at a major research university, while Nova appeals to students prioritizing small class sizes and personalized attention who can afford higher costs.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Florida International University | Nova Southeastern University | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 63.9% | 75.8% |
| SAT Average | 1,155 | 1,175 |
| Enrollment | 38,761 | 7,171 |
| In-State Tuition | $6,565 | $37,080 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $18,963 | $37,080 |
| Net Price | $9,133 | $31,303 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 73.9% | 64.3% |
| Retention Rate | 91.6% | 76.4% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $60,249 | $59,209 |
| Median Debt | $16,500 | $24,250 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| Florida International University | Nova Southeastern University | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Computer Engineering. | $72,274 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $65,027 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | $67,101 | Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | $54,322 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $66,897 | Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $42,235 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $66,653 | Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $41,441 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $63,071 | Marketing. | $38,289 |