University of Florida – Profile, Rankings and Data

University of Florida: Profile, Rankings, and Data

1. Overview & History

• The University of Florida is a large public research university located in Gainesville, Florida.

• It traces its founding to 1853 (its roots in various predecessor institutions), and has grown into one of the major public universities in the U.S. in terms of research output, student enrollment, and academic reputation.

• Campus: Urban/suburban mix, large acreage. As of Fall 2023, undergraduate enrollment more than 30,000; total enrollment (undergraduate + graduate) around 50‑55,000.

2. Rankings & Reputation

University of Florida is well‑regarded both nationally and internationally. Here are several ranking highlights with recent data:

Subject / Research Strengths:

• UF ranks very highly in certain subject areas: e.g. forestry, toxicology, environmental science topics.

• Among public universities, it’s very competitive, often in the top 10‑20 in the U.S. in various fields.

3. Admissions & Student Profile

Here are some of the key numbers and characteristics for admitted students:

Demographics & Diversity:

• Students come from all 67 counties in Florida, from every U.S. state, and many countries.

• The university has a relatively high retention rate; many students graduate within 4‑6 years.

4. Costs, Financial Aid, Value

• Tuition & fees: In‑state tuition is much lower than out‑of‑state. For example, in‑state undergraduates pay around US$6,381, while out‑of‑state tuition is significantly higher.

• Room & Board / Living Costs: There are additional costs—housing, food, etc.—that can add substantially to the total annual cost.

• Net Price & Aid:

  • A large fraction of undergrads receive scholarships or grant aid.

  • UF is considered among the better “value” universities in many analyses, when comparing academic quality relative to cost.

5. Academics, Research & Faculty

• Student‑faculty ratio is about 16:1, which shows reasonable access to faculty and classes.

• A large share of classes have fewer than 20 students.

• Research output is very strong: UF publishes tens of thousands of papers, across many disciplines, with strong citation metrics.

• The university offers a wide variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, including law, engineering, health sciences, agriculture, business, etc.

6. Student Life, Athletics & Campus

• Athletics are a big part of UF’s identity. The Florida Gators are well known in many sports. Large stadiums, strong fan base.

• Student organizations, housing, extracurriculars are abundant. UF also has a strong Greek life presence.

• Gainesville, FL offers a mix of college town feel, with amenities and cultural events. However, for students used to big cities, the locale might feel more relaxed / laid‑back.

7. Strengths & Challenges

Strengths:

1. Academic & Research Excellence — UF is strong in multiple fields, especially environmental sciences, forestry, etc. Good faculty, research output, breadth of programs.

2. Value / Affordability (for In‑State Students) — For Florida residents, tuition is relatively low compared to many top public universities. Scholarship & aid options help.

3. Reputation & Outcomes — Graduates generally do well; UF is well recognized, making degrees from UF respected by employers and graduate schools.

4. Diversity & Size — Large student population, wide geographic and international reach, many programs and extracurricular options.

5. Strong Student Support & Facilities — With a big campus and resources, there tend to be more opportunities (labs, libraries, services, etc.).

Challenges / Considerations:

1. Selective Admissions — With ~24% acceptance, and high academic profile among admitted students, competition is stiff. Applicants need strong GPA, test scores, extracurriculars.

2. Out‑of‑state Costs — For students not from Florida, the cost is significantly higher. Grants or aid might be more limited. Need to budget carefully.

3. Class Sizes & Campus Scale — Large schools have advantages, but sometimes classes (especially introductory ones) are large; navigating bureaucracies can be tougher than in smaller universities.

4. Ranking Variability — Some rankings fluctuate year to year depending on methodology. For example, UF’s global ranking in THE, QS etc. moves depending on what metrics are emphasized (citations, international outlook, reputation). Students should not rely only on rankings.

8. Why UF Might Be a Good Choice

• If you are looking for a well‑rounded public university that offers strong programs in many fields, has research opportunities, and good post‑graduation outcomes, UF is among the top options in the U.S.

• For Florida residents, the cost benefit is very significant. You get high quality at relatively lower cost.

• If you are someone who can thrive in a large university environment (lots of students, many program options, strong athletics, vibrant student life), UF provides that.

9. Summary & Recent Trends

• In recent years, UF has maintained its position in the top 30 or so U.S. universities (among all, public + private) in many rankings. It’s typically among top public universities in the U.S. (often in top 10 for publics).

• Global ranking metrics have seen some variation, especially under QS and THE, but UF remains strong globally, especially within research, citations, certain science / environmental fields.

• UF continues to receive large numbers of applications. Its selectivity has increased over time, as more students apply. Academic standards for admitted students remain high.

If you want, I can put together a side‑by‑side with schools of similar rank (e.g. other top public universities) so you can see how UF stacks up. Do you want that?