University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA) vs University of Florida (UF)

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Gainesville, Florida, home to the esteemed University of Virginia-Main Campus and the University of Florida, respectively. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique characteristics. Dive into our comprehensive comparison to uncover the nuances that set these universities apart. Explore the contrasting acceptance rates, delve into the diverse range of popular majors, discover the vibrant student body demographics, and compare the remarkable graduation rates. Our side-by-side analysis empowers you to make an informed decision, ensuring you find the perfect academic haven that aligns with your aspirations and goals.

	University of Florida	University of Virginia-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Gainesville, Florida	Charlottesville, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: 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%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	30.1%	20.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1300 - 1470	1380 - 1500
ACT range	29 - 33	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	79.0%	52.0%
Students submitting ACT score	46.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	51,207	47,971
Total number of admissions given out	15,431	9,951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,787	3,889
Yield rate	44.0%	39.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $21,431 Out of state: $43,709	In state: $36,314 Out of state: $70,696
Average net price	$9,809	$20,401
Tuition	In state: $4,477 Out of state: $25,694	In state: $16,010 Out of state: $49,710
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $5,800 Meal plan: $4,600	Room/dormitory: $7,110 Meal plan: $5,550
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan	Prepaid tuition plan Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	91.0% Average amount $12,758	46.0% Average amount $19,612
Students receiving federal student loan	9.0% Average amount $4,927	25.0% Average amount $4,845
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $17,527	6.0% Average amount $11,030

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	34,876 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%	17,294 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	20,905 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%	8,711 Men 46.9% Women 53.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	16.5%	35.2%
International students	8.0%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	11,373	7,645
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Florida New York New Jersey Georgia Virginia	Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Health Professions Business Communication and Journalism Computer and Information Science	Business Health Professions Engineering Social Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.9%	93.7%
Dropout rate	2.5%	2.3%
Transferred out	5.7%	3.6%
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	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $185,710 Year 2: $162,255 Year 3: $193,013 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $157,071 Year 2: $155,263 Year 3: $176,237 Computer Software and Media Applications (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,350 Year 2: $101,406 Year 3: $125,729 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,426 Year 2: $107,256 Year 3: $120,362 Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,239 Year 2: $95,739 Year 3: $109,956 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $83,639 Year 2: $92,077 Year 3: $108,272 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,682 Year 2: $90,146 Year 3: $101,904 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,602 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $95,939 Systems Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $79,487 Year 2: $82,808 Year 3: $94,931 Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,807 Year 2: $70,596 Year 3: $84,597

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Virginia (UVA) and the University of Florida (UF)?

UVA, located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is a highly selective public university known for its strong liberal arts focus, honor code, and historic campus designed by Thomas Jefferson. UF, situated in Gainesville, Florida, is a large public research university with a broader range of programs, particularly strong in STEM fields, and a more vibrant, energetic campus atmosphere. UVA tends to have a smaller, more intimate feel, while UF offers a larger, more diverse student body and a wider array of extracurricular activities.
Which university is more selective: UVA or UF?

UVA is generally more selective than UF. UVA's acceptance rate is typically lower, and it requires higher standardized test scores and GPA for admission. UF is still competitive, but it admits a larger percentage of applicants.
How do the academic programs at UVA and UF compare?

Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. UVA is particularly renowned for its schools of Law, Medicine, Business (Darden), and Architecture, as well as its strong liberal arts programs. UF excels in agricultural sciences, engineering, business, and health professions. While both have strong STEM programs, UF has a larger emphasis and more resources dedicated to these fields. UVA's undergraduate experience is more focused on the liberal arts core curriculum.
What is the campus culture like at UVA versus UF?

UVA's campus culture is steeped in tradition, with a strong emphasis on its honor code and student self-governance. The atmosphere is generally more academically focused and reserved. UF has a more energetic and spirited campus culture, driven by its large student body and strong athletic programs. There's a greater emphasis on school spirit and social activities at UF.
How do the costs of attending UVA and UF compare?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status. For in-state students, UF is generally more affordable than UVA. For out-of-state students, both universities are comparable in cost, but UVA tends to be slightly more expensive. It's important to consider tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses when comparing the overall cost.
What are the career opportunities like after graduating from UVA and UF?

Both UVA and UF graduates have excellent career prospects. UVA's strong alumni network and reputation open doors to opportunities in various fields, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. UF's location in Florida provides access to a growing job market, especially in STEM and healthcare industries. Both universities have robust career services departments to assist students with internships and job placement.
How do the locations of UVA and UF impact the student experience?

UVA is located in Charlottesville, a historic city in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The location offers a blend of academic rigor and natural beauty, with opportunities for outdoor activities. UF is situated in Gainesville, a college town in North Central Florida. Gainesville offers a warmer climate, a more laid-back atmosphere, and access to Florida's beaches and attractions. The location of each university significantly shapes the overall student experience.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Both UVA and UF are major research universities with significant research funding and opportunities. UF is a land-grant university with a strong emphasis on agricultural and engineering research. UVA also has a robust research enterprise, particularly in medicine, engineering, and the humanities. Both offer ample opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research projects.
How do the athletic programs at UVA and UF compare?

Both UVA and UF have strong athletic programs and compete in the NCAA Division I. UF is particularly known for its football, basketball, and baseball programs, while UVA has strong programs in basketball, lacrosse, and soccer. Both universities offer a wide range of varsity and intramural sports for students to participate in and enjoy.
What are the student demographics like at UVA and UF?

UF has a larger and more diverse student body compared to UVA. While both universities attract students from across the United States and around the world, UF has a higher percentage of students from Florida, while UVA draws a larger proportion of students from the Mid-Atlantic region. Both universities are committed to increasing diversity and inclusion on their campuses.

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