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University of Florida vs University of Virginia

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

23.0% UF acceptance
16.3% UVA acceptance
$119,552 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
UVA
Charlottesville, Virginia
Public
Founded
1819
Enrollment
26,082
Setting
Suburban

At a Glance

Tuition UF saves $27,256
UF
$28,658
UVA
$55,914
Acceptance Rate UVA more selective
UF
23.0%
UVA
16.3%
Graduation Rate UVA higher
UF
90%
UVA
94%
Avg SAT Score UVA higher
UF
1390
UVA
1440
Starting Salary UVA higher
UF
$64,200
UVA
$71,500

Detailed Comparison

Metric UF UVA Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$28,658$55,914UF
Tuition (In-State)$6,380$20,342UF
Room & Board$11,650$14,282UF
Acceptance Rate23.0%16.3%UVA
Graduation Rate90%94%UVA
Average SAT13901440UVA
Student-Faculty Ratio17:115:1UVA
Enrollment55,21126,082-
Avg Financial Aid$12,860$21,700UVA
Starting Salary$64,200$71,500UVA
Endowment$2.7B$14.5BUVA
Campus Size2,000 acres1,682 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

UF
$161,232
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UVA
$280,784
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: UF = $109,792 | UVA = $193,984. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

UF Top Majors

BusinessBiologyEngineeringComputer SciencePsychology

UVA Top Majors

EconomicsBusinessComputer ScienceBiologyPsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
UFSuburban
UVASuburban
Campus Size
UF2,000 ac
UVA1,682 ac
Athletics
UFNCAA D1
UVANCAA D1
Region
UFSouth
UVASouth
Founded
UF1853
UVA1819
Enrollment
UF55,211
UVA26,082

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is UF or UVA harder to get into?+
UVA is more selective with an acceptance rate of 16.3% compared to 23.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, UF or UVA?+
At sticker price, UF costs less over 4 years ($161,232 vs $280,784). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. UF offers an average of $12,860/year in aid while UVA offers $21,700/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for UF and UVA?+
The average SAT score at UF is 1390 and at UVA it is 1440. 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 UVA graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UVA have a higher average starting salary ($71,500 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 UVA has 15:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do UF and UVA compare for campus life?+
UF is located in Gainesville, Florida (suburban setting) with a 2,000-acre campus. UVA is in Charlottesville, Virginia (suburban setting) with 1,682 acres. UF competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UVA in NCAA D1.