University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) vs University of Florida (UF)

Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two esteemed institutions: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and University of Florida (UF). Both universities boast academic excellence, vibrant student life, and promising career prospects. Yet, they each possess unique characteristics that may sway your decision. UIUC, rooted in the heart of Illinois, offers a lower acceptance rate, indicating its highly selective admissions process. UF, nestled in sunny Gainesville, Florida, welcomes a more diverse student body, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity. While UIUC excels in engineering and computer science, UF shines in business and health professions. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, such as graduation rates, financial aid opportunities, and campus culture, and make an informed choice that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Florida	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Overview
Location	Gainesville, Florida	Champaign, Illinois
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	97.0%	93.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	30.1%	59.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $70
SAT range	1300 - 1470	1320 - 1510
ACT range	29 - 33	29 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	79.0%	43.0%
Students submitting ACT score	46.0%	24.0%
Total number of applicants	51,207	47,593
Total number of admissions given out	15,431	28,395
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,787	8,297
Yield rate	44.0%	29.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $21,431 Out of state: $43,709	In state: $31,636 Out of state: $49,086
Average net price	$9,809	$14,272
Tuition	In state: $4,477 Out of state: $25,694	In state: $12,254 Out of state: $29,704
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $5,800 Meal plan: $4,600	$12,494
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	91.0% Average amount $12,758	82.0% Average amount $11,212
Students receiving federal student loan	9.0% Average amount $4,927	33.0% Average amount $4,889
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $17,527	8.0% Average amount $7,014

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	34,876 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%	34,779 Men 54.1% Women 45.9%
Graduate students	20,905 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%	21,828 Men 55.8% Women 44.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	16.5%	19.1%
International students	8.0%	20.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	11,373	16,111
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Florida New York New Jersey Georgia Virginia	Illinois California New Jersey Texas New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Health Professions Business Communication and Journalism Computer and Information Science	Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Agriculture Education
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	21:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.9%	84.9%
Dropout rate	2.5%	14.2%
Transferred out	5.7%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $236,746 Year 2: $182,280 Year 3: $190,105 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $105,121 Year 2: $124,099 Year 3: $145,544 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $94,054 Year 2: $113,841 Year 3: $123,288 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,886 Year 2: $101,327 Year 3: $114,115 Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,755 Year 2: $96,183 Year 3: $108,258 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $67,716 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $107,267 Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,155 Year 2: $91,363 Year 3: $103,214 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $98,110 Year 2: $92,885 Year 3: $98,739 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,353 Year 2: $90,146 Year 3: $98,185 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,540 Year 2: $88,546 Year 3: $97,968	Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $144,200 Year 2: $138,932 Year 3: $205,343 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $101,262 Year 2: $101,592 Year 3: $118,452 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,177 Year 2: $95,930 Year 3: $115,158 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $88,455 Year 2: $84,100 Year 3: $103,246 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,923 Year 2: $93,033 Year 3: $99,026 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,057 Year 2: $99,404 Year 3: $96,431 Veterinary Medicine (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $83,448 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $93,057 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,643 Year 2: $87,604 Year 3: $92,498 Law (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $67,633 Year 2: $74,200 Year 3: $92,189 Engineering Physics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,606 Year 2: $74,845 Year 3: $90,556

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and the University of Florida (UF)?

UIUC and UF are both large, public research universities, but they differ significantly in location, climate, academic strengths, and campus culture. UIUC is located in the Midwest, offering a traditional college town experience with a strong emphasis on engineering, computer science, and agriculture. UF, situated in the Southeast, boasts a warmer climate, a vibrant Greek life scene, and is particularly renowned for its programs in business, law, and health sciences. UIUC is generally considered to have a stronger international student presence, while UF draws more heavily from within the state of Florida.
How do the academic reputations of UIUC and UF compare?

Both UIUC and UF are highly regarded universities. UIUC consistently ranks among the top engineering and computer science schools globally. It also has strong programs in agriculture, physics, and chemistry. UF is a leading public university with excellent programs in business, law, medicine, and journalism. While both are strong across many disciplines, UIUC is often perceived as having a slight edge in STEM fields, while UF excels in professional programs and life sciences.
Which university is more affordable for in-state students?

For in-state students, the University of Florida generally has a lower tuition cost compared to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. However, the overall cost of attendance, including housing and other expenses, can vary depending on individual lifestyle and choices. It's best to consult the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee schedules.
Which university is more affordable for out-of-state students?

For out-of-state students, both UIUC and UF have similar tuition costs, but UF may be slightly less expensive. However, it's crucial to consider the total cost of attendance, including living expenses, which can vary depending on the location. Always check the official university websites for the most current tuition and fee information.
What is the campus environment like at UIUC versus UF?

UIUC offers a classic college town atmosphere in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. The campus is known for its strong academic focus and a diverse student body, including a significant international population. UF, located in Gainesville, Florida, has a more traditional Southern college feel with a large and active Greek life. The climate is warmer, and the campus culture is often described as more spirited and socially oriented.
How do the career opportunities differ for graduates of UIUC and UF?

Career opportunities for graduates of both universities are excellent, but they tend to be concentrated in different geographic regions and industries. UIUC graduates often find opportunities in the Midwest and on the East and West Coasts, particularly in technology, engineering, and finance. UF graduates are well-positioned for careers in the Southeast, especially in business, healthcare, and government. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can provide valuable career support.
What are the climates like in Urbana-Champaign and Gainesville?

Urbana-Champaign experiences a four-season climate with cold winters, hot summers, and distinct spring and fall seasons. Gainesville has a subtropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. Winters are mild, and summers are hot and humid. If you prefer warmer weather, UF might be a better fit. If you enjoy experiencing all four seasons, UIUC could be more appealing.
How do the research opportunities compare at UIUC and UF?

Both UIUC and UF are major research universities with extensive research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. UIUC is particularly strong in engineering, computer science, and physics research, while UF excels in agricultural sciences, health sciences, and environmental studies. Students at both universities can find research opportunities in a wide range of disciplines.
What are the popular majors at UIUC and UF?

At UIUC, popular majors include engineering (especially electrical, computer, and mechanical), computer science, business, and agriculture. At UF, popular majors include business administration, biology, engineering, health sciences, and journalism. The specific programs that are strongest at each university reflect their overall academic strengths.
How does the student life and extracurricular activities compare between UIUC and UF?

Both UIUC and UF offer a wide range of student activities and organizations. UIUC has a strong focus on academic and professional clubs, as well as a vibrant arts and culture scene. UF has a more prominent Greek life and a strong emphasis on athletics, particularly football. Both universities offer numerous opportunities for students to get involved and connect with others who share their interests.

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