I have been accepted into FSU, and I should hear back from PSU very soon. Can someone compare the two schools and say which one you would recommend going to?
If they cost approximately the same then Penn State is probably the better school. University of Florida is probably more on Penn State’s level than FSU
I’d compare PSU to UF, actually.
However, one is bound to be your instate university: which one? it’s likely to be cheaper than the other.
What’s your budget and what major did you apply for?
What environment and weather do you prefer? On field trips, volunteering, internships, any preference about where you’d like to be? Where do you want to work after college?
What is your intended major?
Florida State may be more generally selective than Penn State:
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-610-smartest-colleges-in-america-2015-9
Comparing PSU vs FSU:
Average Math SAT
PSU: 614
FSU: 600
Average CR SAT
PSU: 582
FSU: 600
Average Writing SAT
PSU: 590
FSU: 600
Average ACT Composite
PSU: 27
FSU: 27
They seem very similar in terms of statistics. One big advantage that Penn State has is that it is known for excellent corporate recruiting. The following article is dated but there have been similar more up to date articles out. If the costs are similar, PSU is probably the better bet.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704554104575435563989873060
@Zinhead Are those PSU stats for University Park or for all 23 campuses combined?
I can assure you the weather will be much nicer at FSU. They also have a way cooler mascot.
@TomSrOfBoston - The stats are for the University Park campus. The site I got them from lists the various different PSU campuses separately. There might be more up to date stats available, but they should not vary that much.
@Zinhead: thanks, that’s interesting.
Do you mind sharing the site, or the date? Because PSU doesn’t use the writing section anymore (it did in 2010).
All in all, Penn State is Pennsylvania’s “flagship”, with only 2 others (Pitt, same caliber but different environment) and Temple, plus all the branches and the 14 directionals.
It also admits for summer (like FSU, for students who would benefit from a more focused transition) as well as Fall, but doesn’t break down between the two.
Like FSU, it admits by college, with very different stats btween Engineering and Ag or Education.
PSU’s honors college (Schreyers) is one of the best in the nation. Its particularity is that it admits regardless of SAT scores, on curriculum rigor, recommendations, essays, and interview.
@MYOS1634 - CC blocks out the site when I post a link, but if you run a google search for college and data, it will be the first one listed.
Thanks. it’s sometimes difficult to find UP-only stats, whereas Florida breaks everything down neatly and clearly in its matrix. 
Penn state is my in state, I come from a decently well off family and both schools are about the same price, I do prefer warmer weather though
Biology!!
I agree with the mascot and the weather thing, but it’s such a hard decision both are amazing schools!
All of these comments are awesome thank you!
Remember you can edit your posts within 15 min instead of posting 4 times 
As for the weather, take humidity into consideration too. As far as I understand, the humidity would be like 10-15% higher at FSU than PSU (on average), and for me, that would definitely offset the pro of “nicer weather”
Penn state does have very good job placement after, but I would assume FSU would be right around the same. Both FSU and PSU have great biology programs (ranked in the top 100) and an awesome school environment. I’m in a rut trying to decide which one to choose
Here’s what might help. Make a spreadsheet showing the key things you like about the schools:
Job placement, study abroad, internship, location, weather, greeklife, whatever things you care about, and then rank them from 1 to 10 (for example) with 10 being the highest. Then, go through and check off which school wins in each category, add up the points, and see if one overwhelmingly outweighs the other.
I wouldn’t attach too much weight to this considering the difficulties inherent in evaluating biology programs, however Penn State appears here, while FSU does not:
http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/lists/list/colleges-to-consider-if-you-want-to-study-biology/117/