University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) vs University of Florida (UF)

Nestled in the heart of the Tar Heel State, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) and the University of Florida (UF), situated in the vibrant city of Gainesville, stand as two prominent beacons of higher education in the southeastern United States. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and offer a diverse range of programs, they also possess unique characteristics that set them apart. UNC boasts a slightly higher acceptance rate, a larger student body, and a higher graduation rate, while UF offers a more affordable tuition for out-of-state students and a wider selection of undergraduate majors. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to uncover further distinctions between these esteemed universities and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Florida	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Overview
Location	Gainesville, Florida	Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	97.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	30.1%	20.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $95
SAT range	1300 - 1470	1140 - 1380
ACT range	29 - 33	22 - 27
Students submitting SAT score	79.0%	2.0%
Students submitting ACT score	46.0%	12.0%
Total number of applicants	51,207	50,729
Total number of admissions given out	15,431	10,348
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,787	4,690
Yield rate	44.0%	45.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $21,431 Out of state: $43,709	In state: $24,770 Out of state: $52,633
Average net price	$9,809	$11,508
Tuition	In state: $4,477 Out of state: $25,694	In state: $7,019 Out of state: $34,882
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $5,800 Meal plan: $4,600	Room/dormitory: $6,878 Meal plan: $5,004
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	91.0% Average amount $12,758	42.0% Average amount $16,076
Students receiving federal student loan	9.0% Average amount $4,927	17.0% Average amount $4,244
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $17,527	3.0% Average amount $14,032

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	34,876 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%	19,845 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%
Graduate students	20,905 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%	11,796 Men 41.4% Women 58.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	16.5%	16.2%
International students	8.0%	6.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	11,373	9,984
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Florida New York New Jersey Georgia Virginia	North Carolina Georgia Maryland New York Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Health Professions Business Communication and Journalism Computer and Information Science	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.9%	90.5%
Dropout rate	2.5%	3.7%
Transferred out	5.7%	5.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $236,746 Year 2: $182,280 Year 3: $190,105 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $105,121 Year 2: $124,099 Year 3: $145,544 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $94,054 Year 2: $113,841 Year 3: $123,288 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,886 Year 2: $101,327 Year 3: $114,115 Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,755 Year 2: $96,183 Year 3: $108,258 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $67,716 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $107,267 Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,155 Year 2: $91,363 Year 3: $103,214 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $98,110 Year 2: $92,885 Year 3: $98,739 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,353 Year 2: $90,146 Year 3: $98,185 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,540 Year 2: $88,546 Year 3: $97,968	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $168,979 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $238,213 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $135,965 Year 2: $127,836 Year 3: $150,089 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $116,248 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $128,102 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $67,961 Year 2: $103,078 Year 3: $117,488 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,271 Year 2: $86,036 Year 3: $96,602 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,162 Year 2: $72,083 Year 3: $95,204 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,938 Year 2: $73,823 Year 3: $89,917 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,557 Year 2: $57,770 Year 3: $87,057 Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,899 Year 2: $67,660 Year 3: $86,155 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,205 Year 2: $68,666 Year 3: $82,520

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Florida?

UNC Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, known for its strong liberal arts focus, especially in journalism, business, and medicine. The University of Florida (UF), located in Gainesville, Florida, is also a public research university but is known for its comprehensive range of programs, particularly in engineering, agriculture, and business. UNC has a more intimate, collegiate feel, while UF offers a larger, more diverse campus environment.
Which university is more selective in admissions: UNC Chapel Hill or the University of Florida?

UNC Chapel Hill is generally considered more selective than the University of Florida. UNC typically has a lower acceptance rate and higher average SAT/ACT scores for admitted students. However, both are highly competitive institutions, and strong academic performance is crucial for admission to either.
How do the costs of attending UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Florida compare?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency. For in-state students, both UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Florida offer relatively affordable tuition. However, out-of-state tuition is significantly higher at both institutions. Generally, UNC Chapel Hill's out-of-state tuition is slightly higher than UF's, but it's essential to check the most current figures on each university's website for the most accurate information.
Which university has a stronger reputation for specific academic programs?

UNC Chapel Hill is highly regarded for its journalism, business (Kenan-Flagler Business School), and medical programs. The University of Florida excels in engineering, agriculture (Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - IFAS), and business (Warrington College of Business). Your choice should depend on your specific academic interests and career goals.
What is the campus culture like at UNC Chapel Hill versus the University of Florida?

UNC Chapel Hill has a strong sense of tradition and a close-knit community, often described as having a 'college town' atmosphere. The University of Florida offers a more diverse and vibrant campus culture, with a larger student body and a wider range of extracurricular activities. Both universities have passionate school spirit, particularly surrounding their athletic programs.
How do the athletic programs compare between UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Florida?

Both UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Florida have strong athletic programs and compete in the NCAA Division I. UNC Chapel Hill is particularly renowned for its basketball program, while the University of Florida is known for its football, baseball, and gymnastics programs. Both universities are members of major athletic conferences (UNC in the ACC, UF in the SEC), ensuring competitive and exciting sporting events.
What are the career opportunities like after graduating from UNC Chapel Hill or the University of Florida?

Graduates from both UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Florida have access to a wide range of career opportunities. UNC Chapel Hill benefits from its proximity to the Research Triangle Park, offering opportunities in technology and research. The University of Florida provides access to opportunities in Florida's growing economy, particularly in areas like healthcare, technology, and agriculture. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can aid in career development.
What is the surrounding city like for each university?

Chapel Hill is a classic college town, offering a charming and walkable environment with a focus on student life. Gainesville, while also a college town, is a larger city with a more diverse population and a wider range of amenities. Chapel Hill offers a more intimate and academically focused setting, while Gainesville provides a more urban and diverse experience.
Which university is better for research opportunities?

Both UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Florida are major research universities with ample opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. UNC Chapel Hill has strong research programs in medicine, public health, and social sciences. The University of Florida has extensive research programs in agriculture, engineering, and life sciences. The 'better' university depends on your specific research interests.
How do the student populations compare in terms of diversity?

The University of Florida generally has a more diverse student population compared to UNC Chapel Hill. While both universities are committed to diversity and inclusion, UF's larger size and location in a more diverse state contribute to a more varied student body. However, both institutions are actively working to increase diversity on their campuses.

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