FAU vs. FIU: Which Florida College Is Right for You?

President Biden’s Investing in America program set aside over $800 million for Florida’s semiconductor, biomanufacturing, and electric vehicle sectors. Many new jobs in these and other industries require a college education. Fortunately, Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University offer many majors aligning with in-demand jobs.

These great Florida colleges offer in-state students the most affordable tuition rate. However, deciding between FIU vs. FAU requires comparing these schools’ academic offerings with your academic and career goals.

Comparing location, cost, and campus culture can make deciding between FAU vs. FIU much easier. Research both schools’ websites to uncover more differences between these great schools.

Situated next to Boca Raton Airport, FAU features an 850-acre main campus. Student housing accommodates over 4,000 degree-seekers in traditional dorms or apartment-style living. You can choose from 16 dining options and use on-campus wellness facilities.

The FIU Miami-Dade County campus offers students a suburban environment with many green spaces. First-year students live in six residence halls, including one reserved for degree-seekers in the competitive Honors College.

Analyzing FIU vs. FAU tuition and fees reveals a similar cost of attendance (COA) for in-state degree-seekers. These figures fall well below the $15,543 the typical Florida resident paid to attend a public four-year school in the 2020-2021 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. However, keep in mind that the COA in the table below reflects out-of-pocket expenses after merit scholarships and other financial aid.

Ways to further reduce COA besides scholarships and grants include on-campus work-study programs. You can also live with roommates to lower your housing costs.

FIU offers a thriving Greek life with 29 fraternities and sororities. The university publishes an annual conduct report to help prospective pledges choose the right one. Other ways to enhance your time at FIU include signing up for one of the many theater, visual arts, and music clubs.

FAU students choose from seven fraternities and sororities. You can learn more about them during fall semester open house events. You can also join one of the many student-registered organizations, such as intramural sports.

With 491 bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2022, biological sciences ranked as FAU’s most popular major. Over 300 graduates earned a bachelor’s in business administration that same year. Other popular majors included finance and speech communication.

In 2022, 1,694 FIU undergraduates earned a bachelor’s in psychology, making it the most popular major that year. Biology came in second with nearly 900 bachelor’s degrees awarded. About 600 students graduated with an interdisciplinary studies degree, meaning you should consider FIU if you want to custom-tailor your education.

From 2002-2022, FAU dominated FIU in football, winning 16 of 21 matches. Their latest game ended with FAU winning 52-7. FIU proved more competitive against FAU in men’s basketball, winning 18 of 39 games from 2003-2023.

Intramural sports give you more opportunities to participate in the FAU vs. FIU sports rivalry. Check out each school’s student life website for more information.

In 2022, FAU admitted 81% of applicants, while FIU admitted 64%. You can increase your competitiveness at both schools in many ways, such as taking honors and AP classes in high school. You can also ask someone else to critique your admissions essay.