Florida Atlantic University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Boca Raton, Florida · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026
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Florida Atlantic University is a public university in Boca Raton, Florida that admits about 58% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $8,752 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Biology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 64% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Florida Atlantic University is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Florida Atlantic University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 58%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1120 and an ACT composite around 23. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $8,752 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Florida Atlantic University?
61% of enrolled students at Florida Atlantic University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.87, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does Florida Atlantic University weight in admissions?
Florida Atlantic University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Class rank
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
SAT and ACT scores Florida Atlantic University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 510–590, with an EBRW midpoint near 565. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–26. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1050 |
| 50th percentile | 1120 |
| 75th percentile | 1220 |
| % submitting SAT | 76.38% |
| 25th percentile | 21 |
| 50th percentile | 23 |
| 75th percentile | 26 |
| % submitting ACT | 22.61% |
- • Tests required: Standardized test scores are part of the standard application package.
- • Policy detail: Required
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 15.31% |
| Top 25% of class | 46.21% |
| Top 50% of class | 84.76% |
| % submitting class rank | 61.92% |
How much does Florida Atlantic University actually cost?
Published tuition is $4,879 for in-state students and $17,324 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,860 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $8,752 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 34% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $6,099 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,655 |
| Room and board | $16,414 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $8,752 |
| Application fee | $30 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Florida Atlantic University
| Regular deadline | March 13 |
| Notification date | Rolling, beginning September 1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from Florida Atlantic University?
These predict outcomes at Florida Atlantic University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Florida Atlantic University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Florida Atlantic University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Biology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Psychology, General. Across all programs, Florida Atlantic University confers roughly 2,713 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Biology, General program report a median income of about $54,209 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | 491 | $54,209 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 374 | $89,276 |
| Psychology, General | 328 | $46,691 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 323 | $61,421 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 320 | $55,057 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | 311 | $50,873 |
| Marketing | 288 | $59,419 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 278 | $68,293 |
Is Florida Atlantic University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Florida Atlantic University disclosed 53 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 9 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Florida Atlantic University?
About 21% of undergraduates at Florida Atlantic University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 8% of men join a fraternity and 13% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Florida parents ask about
Next steps for Florida Atlantic University
Common questions parents ask about Florida Atlantic University
What GPA do I need for Florida Atlantic University?
61% of enrolled students at Florida Atlantic University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.87, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Florida Atlantic University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 510–590, with an EBRW midpoint near 565. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–26.
How much does Florida Atlantic University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Florida Atlantic University after grants and scholarships is $8,752 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $4,879 and $17,324 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Florida Atlantic University realistic for my child?
Florida Atlantic University admits 58% of applicants, so 510–590 SAT Math is target range and below 510 is a reach. Then check the $8,752 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Florida Atlantic University?
Florida Atlantic University accepts about 58% of applicants out of roughly 41,299 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Florida Atlantic University test-optional?
No. Florida Atlantic University requires SAT or ACT scores as part of a standard application.
What is the graduation rate at Florida Atlantic University?
About 64% of students at Florida Atlantic University graduate within six years. 85% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Florida Atlantic University look for in applicants?
Florida Atlantic University rates course rigor, class rank, GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Florida Atlantic University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Florida Atlantic University is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida.
What are the most popular majors at Florida Atlantic University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Florida Atlantic University by annual graduates are Biology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Psychology, General. The school awards about 2,713 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Florida Atlantic University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Florida Atlantic University reported 53 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Florida Atlantic University?
At Florida Atlantic University, 21% of undergraduates live on campus, 8% of men are in fraternities, 13% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Florida Atlantic University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers