University of Florida
The University of Florida is the state's flagship public research university in Gainesville and one of the largest in the nation, enrolling more than 36,500 undergraduates. Admission has grown highly competitive — about 24% of roughly 73,600 applicants are admitted, and enrolled first-years post an average high school GPA near 3.92 with middle-50% SAT scores of 1330–1470. Business and marketing, engineering, and the life sciences are the most popular fields, and a 98% first-year retention rate ranks among the highest of any public university. With low in-state tuition backed by Florida's Bright Futures scholarship, UF is consistently rated one of the best values in American public higher education.
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Florida admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Action
Florida offers non-binding Early Action — an earlier decision with no commitment to enroll.
Standardized Tests
Florida requires standardized test scores for all applicants.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Florida's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 85% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Florida does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Florida weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Florida's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $22,277 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Florida admissions
What GPA do you need to get into the University of Florida?＋
Admitted first-year students at the University of Florida report an average high school GPA of about 3.92 on a 4.0 scale. There is no published hard cutoff, but rigor of high school record and academic GPA are both weighed as very important factors, so strong grades in a demanding course load matter most. Among enrolled students who reported a rank, 84% sat in the top tenth of their class and 98% in the top quarter.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for the University of Florida?＋
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1330 to 1470 on the SAT and 29 to 33 on the ACT, with medians of 1400 and 31. UF is not test-optional, so you must submit the SAT or ACT. About 52% of enrolled students scored 1400 or higher on the SAT, and roughly two-thirds of ACT submitters scored 30 or above.
What is the University of Florida's acceptance rate?＋
The University of Florida admitted about 24.2% of applicants in the most recent cycle, taking roughly 17,800 of about 73,600 applicants and enrolling around 7,500 first-years. Admission is more competitive for out-of-state students, who make up only about 20% of the class.
Is it harder to get into the University of Florida out of state?＋
Yes, effectively. Out-of-state students make up only about 20% of UF's first-year class, and state residency and geographical residence are listed as factors that are considered in admission. With an overall acceptance rate near 24.2% and roughly 73,600 applicants competing for about 7,500 seats, non-Florida applicants are competing for a smaller share of the class, so aiming for the upper end of the 1330-1470 SAT and 29-33 ACT ranges helps.
Does the University of Florida require essays and letters of recommendation?＋
UF weighs the application essay and character or personal qualities as important factors, so the personal essay is a meaningful part of your file. Letters of recommendation, class rank, interviews, and demonstrated interest are listed as not considered, so your energy is best spent on your essays, your transcript, and your activities.
How much does the University of Florida cost?＋
Annual tuition and required fees run about $6,381 for Florida residents and $28,658 for out-of-state students. On-campus housing and food add about $12,615. About 65% of first-years receive aid, the average package is near $14,201, and UF meets 99% of demonstrated need on average.
What majors is the University of Florida known for?＋
Business and marketing is the single largest field at about 14% of degrees, followed by engineering at 12% and the biological and life sciences at 11%. Social sciences, health professions, communication and journalism, psychology, and computer science round out the most popular programs at this large public research university, where the student-faculty ratio is about 16 to 1.
What is the University of Florida's retention and graduation rate?＋
UF reports a 98% first-year retention rate, meaning nearly all first-years return for sophomore year. The six-year graduation rate is about 91%, and roughly 75% of undergraduates live on campus.
Source: University of Florida Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-07. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Florida. Banner photo by Ebyabe, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).