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University of Florida vs University of North Carolina

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

23.0% UF acceptance
16.8% UNC acceptance
$43,072 UF cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

UF
Gainesville, Florida
Public
Founded
1853
Enrollment
55,211
Setting
Suburban
UNC
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Public
Founded
1789
Enrollment
32,852
Setting
Suburban

At a Glance

Tuition UF saves $9,398
UF
$28,658
UNC
$38,056
Acceptance Rate UNC more selective
UF
23.0%
UNC
16.8%
Graduation Rate UNC higher
UF
90%
UNC
91%
Avg SAT Score UNC higher
UF
1390
UNC
1400
Starting Salary UNC higher
UF
$64,200
UNC
$64,800

Detailed Comparison

Metric UF UNC Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$28,658$38,056UF
Tuition (In-State)$6,380$8,998UF
Room & Board$11,650$13,020UF
Acceptance Rate23.0%16.8%UNC
Graduation Rate90%91%UNC
Average SAT13901400UNC
Student-Faculty Ratio17:113:1UNC
Enrollment55,21132,852-
Avg Financial Aid$12,860$18,370UNC
Starting Salary$64,200$64,800UNC
Endowment$2.7B$5.3BUNC
Campus Size2,000 acres729 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

UF
$161,232
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UNC
$204,304
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: UF = $109,792 | UNC = $130,824. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

UF Top Majors

BusinessBiologyEngineeringComputer SciencePsychology

UNC Top Majors

BiologyBusinessComputer ScienceEconomicsPsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
UFSuburban
UNCSuburban
Campus Size
UF2,000 ac
UNC729 ac
Athletics
UFNCAA D1
UNCNCAA D1
Region
UFSouth
UNCSouth
Founded
UF1853
UNC1789
Enrollment
UF55,211
UNC32,852

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is UF or UNC harder to get into?+
UNC is more selective with an acceptance rate of 16.8% compared to 23.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, UF or UNC?+
At sticker price, UF costs less over 4 years ($161,232 vs $204,304). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. UF offers an average of $12,860/year in aid while UNC offers $18,370/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for UF and UNC?+
The average SAT score at UF is 1390 and at UNC it is 1400. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do UF or UNC graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UNC have a higher average starting salary ($64,800 vs $64,200). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
UF has a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UNC has 13:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do UF and UNC compare for campus life?+
UF is located in Gainesville, Florida (suburban setting) with a 2,000-acre campus. UNC is in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (suburban setting) with 729 acres. UF competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UNC in NCAA D1.