Florida vs. UNC Chapel Hill

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Florida in Gainesville, FL with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Florida is larger than UNC Chapel Hill based on total student enrollment (56,311 students vs. 32,438 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Florida is located in Gainesville, FL (Midsize City setting); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting).
• University of Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Florida 16:1; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1.

Florida vs. UNC Chapel Hill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida or UNC Chapel Hill? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill than Florida ($10,154 vs. $11,936).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Florida are 12.2% lower than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($12,120 vs. $13,804).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is 40.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida (about $2,613 more per year; $8,994.00 vs. $6,381.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.8% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at University of Florida (about $12,544 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $28,659.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Florida than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (91% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 64.2% larger than aid received by University of Florida students ($17,814 vs. $10,846).

Florida vs. UNC Chapel Hill Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida or UNC Chapel Hill? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UNC Chapel Hill and Florida.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 60 points higher than at Florida (1400).
• Incoming Florida students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at UNC Chapel Hill (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Florida 1320/1480; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Florida 29/33; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida - Required; UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Mar 1, 2027; UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at UNC Chapel Hill (3.83).
• Florida has a higher acceptance rate (24.2%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.2% at Florida vs. 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill.

Florida vs. UNC Chapel Hill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida and UNC Chapel Hill? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than University of Florida's (84%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Florida graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $62,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Florida graduates have a $664 lower median loan debt than UNC Chapel Hill graduates ($15,815 vs. $16,479).
• Among borrowers, Florida graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Chapel Hill graduates ($163 vs. $170).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.