This article compares two highly regarded public universities in the Southeastern United States: the University of Georgia (UGA) and the University of Florida (UF). We will explore various aspects of both schools, such as costs, admissions, academics, campus life, and student outcomes. This comprehensive comparison aims to provide prospective students and their families with valuable information to help them make informed decisions about their college choices.
University of Georgia (UGA) Overview
The University of Georgia is a public research university founded in 1785, located in Athens, Georgia. It is classified among “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” and is the oldest public university in the United States. UGA offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across its 17 colleges and schools.
UGA Costs & Tuition
The estimated tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate students at UGA for the 2021-2022 academic year are $12,080, while out-of-state students can expect to pay $31,120. Additional expenses, such as housing, meals, and books, can bring the total cost of attendance to approximately $26,688 for in-state students and $45,728 for out-of-state students.
UGA Admissions
UGA has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of approximately 49%. Applicants should have a strong academic background, as the middle 50% of admitted students have a high school GPA between 4.0-4.33 (weighted) and an SAT score between 1240-1410.
UGA Degrees Offered
The University of Georgia offers over 140 undergraduate majors and more than 300 graduate degree programs. Popular areas of study include business, journalism, engineering, and agriculture.
UGA Academics
UGA is known for its strong academic programs and faculty, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1. Many programs, such as the Terry College of Business and the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, are nationally ranked.
UGA Diversity
The University of Georgia is committed to promoting diversity and an inclusive campus environment. As of Fall 2020, the undergraduate student population is 61% White, 15% Black or African American, 9% Hispanic, and 5% Asian.
UGA Students
UGA has an enrollment of approximately 38,920 students, with about 29,000 of them being undergraduates. Students can choose from over 800 clubs and organizations, ranging from academic and professional organizations to recreational sports and community service opportunities.
UGA Campus
The University of Georgia’s campus spans over 760 acres, featuring historic buildings, modern facilities, and plenty of green space. Students can enjoy various campus amenities, such as the Ramsey Student Center, Tate Student Center, and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.
UGA Alumni
Notable UGA alumni include Ryan Seacrest, Alton Brown, and Herschel Walker. The university’s alumni association offers networking events, career services, and lifelong learning opportunities for graduates.
UGA Rankings
UGA is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the nation. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UGA is ranked #15 for Top Public Schools and #47 for National Universities.
UGA Outcomes
The University of Georgia boasts strong student outcomes, with a first-year retention rate of 95% and a six-year graduation rate of 87%. The average starting salary for UGA graduates is $48,000.
University of Florida (UF) Overview
The University of Florida is a public research university founded in 1853, located in Gainesville, Florida. It is classified among “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” and is a member of the Association of American Universities. UF offers over 100 undergraduate majors and more than 200 graduate degree programs across its 16 colleges.
UF Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, the estimated tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate students at UF are $6,380, while out-of-state students can expect to pay $28,658. Additional expenses, such as housing, meals, and books, can bring the total cost of attendance to approximately $21,430 for in-state students and $43,708 for out-of-state students.
UF Admissions
Admission to UF is competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 37%. Applicants should have a strong academic background, as the middle 50% of admitted students have a high school GPA between 4.3-4.6 (weighted) and an SAT score between 1310-1470.
UF Degrees Offered
The University of Florida offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with popular areas of study including engineering, business, health professions, and biological sciences.
UF Academics
UF is known for its rigorous academic programs and top-notch faculty, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1. Many programs, such as the Warrington College of Business, the College of Engineering, and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, are nationally ranked.
UF Diversity
The University of Florida is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus climate. As of Fall 2020, the undergraduate student population is 54% White, 9% Black or African American, 23% Hispanic, and 7% Asian.
UF Students
UF has an enrollment of approximately 52,218 students, with around 35,000 of them being undergraduates. Students can join over 1,000 clubs and organizations, spanning academic, cultural, recreational, and service-oriented interests.
UF Campus
The University of Florida’s campus covers over 2,000 acres, featuring a mix of historic buildings and modern facilities. Students can enjoy various campus amenities, such as the Reitz Union, Southwest Recreation Center, and the Florida Museum of Natural History.
UF Alumni
Notable UF alumni include Tim Tebow, Faye Dunaway, and Marco Rubio. The university’s alumni association provides networking events, career services, and educational opportunities for graduates.
UF Rankings
UF consistently ranks among the top public universities in the nation. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UF is ranked #6 for Top Public Schools and #30 for National Universities.
UF Outcomes
The University of Florida has impressive student outcomes, including a first-year retention rate of 97% and a six-year graduation rate of 88%. The average starting salary for UF graduates is $51,000.
University of Georgia (UGA) vs University of Florida (UF) Cost Comparison
When it comes to the cost of attendance, both schools have relatively affordable tuition for in-state students. However, the University of Florida offers lower in-state tuition ($6,380) compared to the University of Georgia ($12,080). Also, the total cost of attendance for UF ($21,430) is lower than that of UGA ($26,688) for in-state students. Out-of-state students will pay similar tuition at both schools, with UF costing slightly less ($28,658) than UGA ($31,120).
UGA vs UF Admissions Difficulty
Both universities have competitive admissions processes. However, UF has a lower acceptance rate (37%) compared to UGA (49%). Additionally, UF’s admitted students tend to have slightly higher high school GPAs and SAT scores compared to UGA’s admitted students. As a result, it can be considered more difficult to gain admission to the University of Florida.
UGA vs UF Academic Difficulty
Both universities are known for their strong academic programs and faculty, with similar student-to-faculty ratios (17:1 at UGA and 18:1 at UF). Both schools offer a wide range of degrees and nationally ranked programs. Given their academic rigor, both UGA and UF can be considered challenging in terms of academics.
UGA vs UF Outcome Comparison
Student outcomes at both universities are impressive, with high retention and graduation rates. However, UF has a slightly higher first-year retention rate (97% compared to 95% at UGA) and a slightly higher six-year graduation rate (88% compared to 87% at UGA). Furthermore, the average starting salary for UF graduates ($51,000) is higher than that of UGA graduates ($48,000). Overall, both schools provide excellent opportunities for students, but UF has a slight edge in terms of outcomes.
