UW-Madison vs University of Florida (UF)

Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Florida, a beacon of higher learning in the Sunshine State, stand as two distinct academic powerhouses. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer unique experiences shaped by their diverse locations, student demographics, and academic strengths. With acceptance rates varying significantly, the University of Wisconsin-Madison being more selective, and the University of Florida being more accessible, the choice between these two esteemed universities hinges on individual preferences and aspirations. Delve into the comprehensive comparison table below to uncover the nuances that set these institutions apart, from their popular majors and vibrant student life to their graduation rates and post-graduate opportunities. Discover which university aligns best with your academic pursuits and personal aspirations, embarking on a transformative journey that will shape your future.

	University of Florida	University of Wisconsin-Madison
Overview
Location	Gainesville, Florida	Madison, Wisconsin
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
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%	95.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	30.1%	60.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1300 - 1470	1320 - 1500
ACT range	29 - 33	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	79.0%	15.0%
Students submitting ACT score	46.0%	55.0%
Total number of applicants	51,207	53,781
Total number of admissions given out	15,431	32,459
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,787	8,465
Yield rate	44.0%	26.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	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: $27,418 Out of state: $55,306
Average net price	$9,809	$13,484
Tuition	In state: $4,477 Out of state: $25,694	In state: $9,273 Out of state: $37,161
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $5,800 Meal plan: $4,600	Room/dormitory: $7,367 Meal plan: $4,100
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	91.0% Average amount $12,758	54.0% Average amount $10,932
Students receiving federal student loan	9.0% Average amount $4,927	26.0% Average amount $5,175
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $17,527	6.0% Average amount $16,550

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	34,876 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%	34,561 Men 47.5% Women 52.5%
Graduate students	20,905 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%	12,455 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	16.5%	50.6%
International students	8.0%	13.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	11,373	9,226
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	Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota California New York

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

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.9%	89.2%
Dropout rate	2.5%	10.0%
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	Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $107,256 Year 3: $131,458 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,083 Year 2: $111,992 Year 3: $130,357 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,390 Year 2: $113,091 Year 3: $124,360 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $96,320 Year 2: $117,042 Year 3: $123,777 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $110,338 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $111,424 Real Estate (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $115,339 Year 3: $104,219 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $115,387 Year 2: $100,213 Year 3: $103,937 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $78,839 Year 2: $81,997 Year 3: $97,306 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $85,538 Year 3: $94,093 Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,730 Year 2: $73,949 Year 3: $91,306

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Florida?

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) is a large, public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, known for its strong academic programs, particularly in engineering, life sciences, and social sciences. It experiences cold winters and offers a vibrant campus life centered around Lake Mendota. The University of Florida (UF), located in Gainesville, Florida, is also a large, public research university, but it boasts a warmer climate and is renowned for its programs in agriculture, business, and journalism. UF's campus culture is heavily influenced by its strong athletic programs, especially football.
Which university is more selective in its admissions process?

Generally, the University of Florida tends to be slightly more selective than the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Both are highly competitive, but UF's acceptance rate is typically a few percentage points lower. However, admission competitiveness can vary by specific program or college within each university.
How do the tuition costs compare between UW-Madison and UF?

Tuition costs differ significantly based on residency. For in-state students, the University of Florida generally has lower tuition fees than the University of Wisconsin-Madison. However, for out-of-state students, the tuition costs at both universities are more comparable, although UW-Madison may sometimes be slightly higher. Always check the universities' official websites for the most up-to-date tuition information.
Which university is better for students interested in STEM fields?

Both UW-Madison and UF offer excellent STEM programs. UW-Madison is particularly strong in engineering, computer science, and biological sciences, with extensive research opportunities. UF also has strong engineering and science programs, especially in agricultural and environmental sciences. The 'better' choice depends on your specific STEM interest and the specific programs offered within that field at each university.
How does campus life differ between UW-Madison and UF?

UW-Madison's campus life is heavily influenced by its location on Lake Mendota, offering opportunities for water sports and recreation. The city of Madison is a vibrant college town with a strong emphasis on arts, culture, and outdoor activities. UF's campus life is characterized by its strong school spirit and passionate support for its athletic teams, particularly football. Gainesville offers a more laid-back, Southern college town atmosphere.
What are the research opportunities like at each university?

Both UW-Madison and UF are major research universities with extensive research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. UW-Madison has a strong emphasis on basic research across a wide range of disciplines. UF has significant research activity in areas such as agriculture, medicine, and engineering. Students at both universities can find research opportunities through faculty connections, research centers, and university-sponsored programs.
How do the career services and alumni networks compare?

Both universities have robust career services departments that offer career counseling, resume workshops, and job placement assistance. UW-Madison has a strong alumni network, particularly in the Midwest and in fields like business, engineering, and law. UF also has a large and active alumni network, especially in Florida and the Southeast, with strong representation in fields like business, healthcare, and government. Both alumni networks can provide valuable connections for internships and job opportunities.
What is the climate like in Madison, Wisconsin, compared to Gainesville, Florida?

Madison experiences a four-season climate with cold, snowy winters and warm summers. Gainesville has a subtropical climate with warm temperatures year-round and high humidity. If you prefer warmer weather, UF in Gainesville would be a better choice. If you enjoy experiencing all four seasons, including snow, UW-Madison in Madison would be a better fit.
Which university is known for its specific academic programs?

UW-Madison is highly regarded for its programs in engineering, life sciences (especially genetics and biochemistry), social sciences (particularly sociology and political science), and journalism. UF is known for its programs in agriculture, business (especially accounting), journalism, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. Consider which university's strengths align best with your academic interests.
How do the student demographics compare between UW-Madison and UF?

Both universities have diverse student populations, but there are some differences. UW-Madison draws a significant portion of its students from the Midwest, while UF draws heavily from Florida and the Southeast. UF tends to have a higher percentage of students from underrepresented minority groups compared to UW-Madison. Both universities are working to increase diversity and inclusion on their campuses.

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