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University of Florida vs University of Pennsylvania

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

23.0% UF acceptance
5.4% UPenn acceptance
$166,776 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
UPenn
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Private
Founded
1740
Enrollment
28,304
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition UF saves $34,794
UF
$28,658
UPenn
$63,452
Acceptance Rate UPenn more selective
UF
23.0%
UPenn
5.4%
Graduation Rate UPenn higher
UF
90%
UPenn
96%
Avg SAT Score UPenn higher
UF
1390
UPenn
1530
Starting Salary UPenn higher
UF
$64,200
UPenn
$92,800

Detailed Comparison

Metric UF UPenn Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$28,658$63,452UF
Tuition (In-State)$6,380$63,452UF
Room & Board$11,650$18,550UF
Acceptance Rate23.0%5.4%UPenn
Graduation Rate90%96%UPenn
Average SAT13901530UPenn
Student-Faculty Ratio17:16:1UPenn
Enrollment55,21128,304-
Avg Financial Aid$12,860$54,060UPenn
Starting Salary$64,200$92,800UPenn
Endowment$2.7B$20.5BUPenn
Campus Size2,000 acres299 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

UF
$161,232
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UPenn
$328,008
4-year total (private)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: UF = $109,792 | UPenn = $111,768. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

UF Top Majors

BusinessBiologyEngineeringComputer SciencePsychology

UPenn Top Majors

FinanceEconomicsNursingComputer ScienceBiology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
UFSuburban
UPennUrban
Campus Size
UF2,000 ac
UPenn299 ac
Athletics
UFNCAA D1
UPennNCAA D1
Region
UFSouth
UPennNortheast
Founded
UF1853
UPenn1740
Enrollment
UF55,211
UPenn28,304

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is UF or UPenn harder to get into?+
UPenn is more selective with an acceptance rate of 5.4% compared to 23.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, UF or UPenn?+
At sticker price, UF costs less over 4 years ($161,232 vs $328,008). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. UF offers an average of $12,860/year in aid while UPenn offers $54,060/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for UF and UPenn?+
The average SAT score at UF is 1390 and at UPenn it is 1530. 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 UPenn graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UPenn have a higher average starting salary ($92,800 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 UPenn has 6:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do UF and UPenn compare for campus life?+
UF is located in Gainesville, Florida (suburban setting) with a 2,000-acre campus. UPenn is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (urban setting) with 299 acres. UF competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UPenn in NCAA D1.