Florida Southern vs Southeastern University
Florida Southern College and Southeastern University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Florida, offer distinct educational experiences. Florida Southern, a private liberal arts college, boasts a 65% acceptance rate and a diverse student body, with 30% of its undergraduates identifying as minorities. Its popular majors include business, education, and nursing. Southeastern, a private Christian university, has a higher acceptance rate of 75% and a predominantly white student body, with only 15% minority representation. Its popular majors include business, criminal justice, and psychology. Both institutions offer competitive graduation rates, with Florida Southern at 68% and Southeastern at 65%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
  | 
       | 
          
        
          
             
          
          Florida Southern College | 
          
        
          
             
          
          Southeastern University | 
      
|---|---|---|
    Overview | 
||
| Location | Lakeland, Florida | Lakeland, Florida | 
| Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize | 
| College type | 4 year | 4 year | 
| Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) | 
| Calendar system | Semester | Semester | 
| Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate | 
| Students retention rate | 79.0% | 70.0% | 
    
       
      Common app member
    
   | 
      Yes | Yes | 
| Religious affiliation | Methodism | Protestant | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Admission | 
||
| Acceptance rate | 60.9% | 44.9% | 
| Application fees | 
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $40
           
          
            Graduate:
            $50
           
                   | 
  |
| SAT range | 1160 - 1335 | 960 - 1183 | 
| ACT range | 25 - 30 | 19 - 25 | 
| Students submitting SAT score | 27.0% | 4.0% | 
| Students submitting ACT score | 17.0% | 24.0% | 
| Total number of applicants | 10,759 | 4,940 | 
| Total number of admissions given out | 6,550 | 2,219 | 
| Admitted students who chose to enroll | 792 | 1,205 | 
| Yield rate | 12.1% | 54.3% | 
| Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A | 
| High school GPA | Required | Required | 
| Recommendation letters | Not required | Required | 
| High school transcript | Not required | Not required | 
| English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Tuition and Fees | 
||
| Sticker price | $55,100 | $43,134 | 
| Average net price | $25,783 | $27,536 | 
| Tuition | $38,180 | $27,320 | 
| Room & board | 
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $7,224
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $4,800
           
                   | 
      
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $5,420
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $5,394
           
                   | 
  
| Available payment plans | 
                        
  | 
      
                        
  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Financial Aid | 
||
| 
    Students receiving financial aid
     (Grants & scholarships)  | 
      
              
          100.0%
        
         Average amount $28,545  | 
      
              
          95.0%
        
         Average amount $13,633  | 
  
| Students receiving federal student loan | 
              
          61.0%
        
         Average amount $5,373  | 
      
              
          63.0%
        
         Average amount $5,442  | 
  
| Students taking out private loans | 
              
          9.0%
        
         Average amount $16,516  | 
      
              
          5.0%
        
         Average amount $12,989  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Students and Campus | 
||
| Undergraduate students | 
              
          2,811
        
        
           Men 35.8% Women 64.2%  | 
      
              
          8,118
        
        
           Men 41.9% Women 58.1%  | 
  
| Graduate students | 
              
          575
        
        
           Men 33.4% Women 66.6%  | 
      
              
          1,247
        
        
           Men 37.9% Women 62.1%  | 
  
| Racial/ethnic diversity | 
              
           Low 
    
       | 
      
              
           Moderate 
    
    
       | 
  
| Out-of-state students | N/A | 52.5% | 
| International students | 3.5% | 2.2% | 
| Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize | 
| Dormitory capacity | 2,329 | 1,699 | 
| First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No | 
| Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Florida Ohio Alabama California Texas | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Academics | 
||
| Popular study areas | 
              
  | 
      
              
  | 
  
| Students to faculty ratio | 14:1 | 26:1 | 
| Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Outcome | 
||
| Graduation rate | 67.7% | 51.4% | 
| Dropout rate | 32.3% | 36.3% | 
| Transferred out | N/A | 11.3% | 
| Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | 
               
              
                
                  Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Criminology (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
      
               
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Theology and Religious Vocations, Other (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Theology and Religious Vocations, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Human Services, General (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
  
    
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