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University of Florida vs University of Washington

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

23.0% UF acceptance
48.0% UW acceptance
$65,544 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
UW
Seattle, Washington
Public
Founded
1861
Enrollment
51,361
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition UF saves $13,339
UF
$28,658
UW
$41,997
Acceptance Rate UF more selective
UF
23.0%
UW
48.0%
Graduation Rate UF higher
UF
90%
UW
84%
Avg SAT Score UF higher
UF
1390
UW
1380
Starting Salary UW higher
UF
$64,200
UW
$73,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric UF UW Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$28,658$41,997UF
Tuition (In-State)$6,380$12,643UF
Room & Board$11,650$14,697UF
Acceptance Rate23.0%48.0%UF
Graduation Rate90%84%UF
Average SAT13901380UF
Student-Faculty Ratio17:121:1UF
Enrollment55,21151,361-
Avg Financial Aid$12,860$17,490UW
Starting Salary$64,200$73,200UW
Endowment$2.7B$4.5BUW
Campus Size2,000 acres703 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

UF
$161,232
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UW
$226,776
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: UF = $109,792 | UW = $156,816. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

UF Top Majors

BusinessBiologyEngineeringComputer SciencePsychology

UW Top Majors

Computer ScienceEngineeringBiologyBusinessPsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
UFSuburban
UWUrban
Campus Size
UF2,000 ac
UW703 ac
Athletics
UFNCAA D1
UWNCAA D1
Region
UFSouth
UWWest
Founded
UF1853
UW1861
Enrollment
UF55,211
UW51,361

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is UF or UW harder to get into?+
UF is more selective with an acceptance rate of 23.0% compared to 48.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, UF or UW?+
At sticker price, UF costs less over 4 years ($161,232 vs $226,776). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. UF offers an average of $12,860/year in aid while UW offers $17,490/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for UF and UW?+
The average SAT score at UF is 1390 and at UW it is 1380. 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 UW graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UW have a higher average starting salary ($73,200 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 UW has 21:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do UF and UW compare for campus life?+
UF is located in Gainesville, Florida (suburban setting) with a 2,000-acre campus. UW is in Seattle, Washington (urban setting) with 703 acres. UF competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UW in NCAA D1.