The University of Florida (UF) is the public flagship university of Florida, in Gainesville, with 57,401 students in the 2025–26 Common Data Set (37,283 undergraduates and 20,118 graduate students).[1] It is tied 228th in the QS World University Rankings 2027[2] and 8th among public universities in the U.S. News 2027 ranking.[3]
For 2026–27 UF charges $214.54 per undergraduate credit hour to Florida residents and $1,153.88 to non-residents; graduate courses cost $532.52 and $1,449.28 per credit hour.[4] UF’s own estimate for a first-year undergraduate (30 credit hours) is $6,440 in tuition and fees for a Florida resident and $34,620 for a non-resident.[5] All first-year applicants must submit an ACT, CLT or SAT score.[6]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Florida (UF) |
| Location | Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States[7] |
| Type | Public research university and flagship of Florida; described by UF as a land-, sea- and space-grant institution[7] |
| Founded | UF dates itself to 1853; the Buckman Act of 1905 created the “University of the State of Florida” from several earlier institutions, and classes began in Gainesville in 1906[8] |
| Students | 57,401 in the 2025–26 Common Data Set: 37,283 undergraduates and 20,118 graduate students (enrolment count as of the official fall reporting date or 15 October 2025)[1] |
| Colleges and degrees | 16 academic colleges; more than 300 degree options[7] |
| Research classification | Carnegie R1; member of the Association of American Universities (AAU)[8] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 228th (tied)[2] |
| U.S. News 2027, public universities | 8th (7th in the previous year)[3] |
| Tuition 2026–27, per credit hour (on campus) | Undergraduate: $214.54 Florida resident · $1,153.88 non-resident. Graduate: $532.52 · $1,449.28[4] |
| Undergraduate budget 2026–27 (UF estimate) | $25,830 Florida resident · $54,010 non-resident, including tuition and fees of $6,440 and $34,620[5] |
| Test requirement, first-year applicants | ACT, CLT or SAT score required (Florida Board of Governors regulation 6.002)[6] |
| English proficiency, graduate | IELTS Academic 6.5; TOEFL iBT figure as printed on the page: 4.5 overall, 4.0 per section[9] |
| Official website | ufl.edu |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About the University of Florida
The University of Florida describes itself as Florida’s flagship university and as a “land-, sea- and space-grant institution”. Its own history page traces the university to 1853.[7] According to Wikipedia, the 1905 Buckman Act merged several state institutions into the “University of the State of Florida”, which began teaching in Gainesville in 1906 with 102 students and was renamed the University of Florida a few years later.[8]
UF has 16 academic colleges and offers more than 300 degree options.[7] Wikipedia lists it as an R1 research university (Carnegie classification) and an AAU member since 1985; its teams, the Florida Gators, compete in NCAA Division I in the Southeastern Conference.[8]
How is the University of Florida ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Florida is tied 228th worldwide, with an overall score of 53.1.[2]
In the U.S. News & World Report 2027 ranking of public universities (reported on 23 September 2026) UF is 8th, down from 7th the year before. The report we read gives public-university ranks only, so we do not state a national overall position.[3] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Florida?
UF organises its teaching in 16 academic colleges and lists more than 300 degree options.[7] The pages we read do not break these down by level or subject, so use the academics section of ufl.edu to find the programme you want.
UF also runs UF Online, a separate online degree route with its own admissions and fee pages. UF Online students do not take in-person classes in the United States.[10]
How much does the University of Florida cost in 2026–27?
| Courses (on campus) | Florida resident, per credit hour | Non-resident, per credit hour |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (0000–4999) | $214.54 | $1,153.88 |
| Graduate (5000–9999) | $532.52 | $1,449.28 |
These are the per-credit-hour rates in UF’s 2026–27 tuition and fees table.[4] UF’s financial aid office adds a yearly estimate for students entering UF for the first time:[5]
| 2026–27 estimate | Florida resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition and fees (30 credit hours) | $6,440 | $34,620 |
| Undergraduate total budget (tuition, books, transport, living, personal) | $25,830 | $54,010 |
| Graduate tuition and fees | $12,780 | $34,780 (off campus) |
UF says the tuition and fee figures are projected for incoming students and that continuing students may pay less.[5][11] The undergraduate budget includes $14,190 for living expenses and $1,220 for books and supplies.[5]
What about international students?
The undergraduate cost page has only “Florida resident” and “Non-resident” columns.[5] The graduate page lists no separate international rate: the out-of-state figure is the closest match, and UF advises international students to confirm their rate with the university.[11] UF Online has its own rates, which are not part of the table above.[10]
How do you apply to the University of Florida?
First-year undergraduates. International applicants follow the same freshman process as everyone else and are reviewed equally regardless of curriculum or citizenship. UF asks for at least four full years of secondary transcripts (including current coursework). Transcripts not in English need a certified word-for-word English translation, and all non-U.S. coursework needs a course-by-course evaluation with GPA calculation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).[6]
All first-year students must submit an ACT, CLT or SAT score, either self-reported or sent officially, under Florida Board of Governors regulation 6.002. Applicants from U.S. high schools and international schools that use the U.S. grading system submit the self-reported record called STARS; applicants from non-U.S. schools without the U.S. grading system do not.[6]
Graduate students. International graduate applicants must meet the English requirement set out below and, where the programme asks for the GRE, a Verbal score of at least 140 in addition to TOEFL or IELTS.[9]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme. The pages we read did not describe the F-1 student visa process for on-campus students, so ask the UF Office of Admissions (the undergraduate page lists 352-392-1365).[6]
Which English level do you need?
The undergraduate admissions pages we read do not give a TOEFL or IELTS minimum for on-campus first-year applicants, so check the English-proficiency page of UF Admissions before you book a test.[6] The requirements we could read are:
| Route | Minimum |
|---|---|
| UF Online (undergraduate) | TOEFL iBT 80 · TOEFL paper 550 · IELTS Academic 6.0[10] |
| Graduate | IELTS Academic 6.5 · TOEFL iBT shown as 4.5 overall with at least 4.0 per section · UF ELI Exit Certificate also accepted[9] |
The graduate page prints the TOEFL iBT figure as 4.5, which is not on the older 0–120 scale used by the UF Online page; confirm the score scale with your programme. UF’s TOEFL code is 5812. UF does not accept scores combined from several tests, and UF Online scores are valid for two years.[9][10]
Exemptions exist. Graduate departments may exempt applicants who completed a year of degree study in English, who hold a degree from an English-instruction institution or who are citizens of listed countries such as Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore and South Africa.[9] For UF Online, UF states that it cannot issue documents for F-1 or J-1 visa applications.[10]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at the University of Florida for out-of-state students?
Do I need the SAT or ACT to apply to the University of Florida?
First-year applicants, including international ones, must submit an ACT, CLT or SAT score under Florida Board of Governors regulation 6.002.[6]
What English score does the University of Florida require?
Is the University of Florida a public or a private university?
It is a public university and the flagship of Florida, described by UF as a land-, sea- and space-grant institution.[7]
More about studying in Florida
- Florida: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Florida
Sources
[1] University of Florida: Common Data Set 2025–26 (Institutional Planning and Research) (version dated 14 Aug 2026; enrolment section B1)
[2] xuanxiao.org: QS World University Rankings 2027, ranks 201–250 (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (edition published 18 Jun 2026)
[3] Orlando Weekly: UCF drops in national rankings along with most Florida universities (reports U.S. News 2027) (article of 23 Sep 2026; public-university ranks only)
[4] University of Florida, Office of the CFO: 2026–27 academic year tuition and fees (page without a date; footer 2026)
[5] University of Florida, Student Financial Aid: Undergraduate costs (page without a date; shows 2026–27 and 2025–26)
[6] University of Florida Admissions: International applicants (first-year) (page without a date)
[7] University of Florida: About UF (page without a date; footer 2026)
[8] Wikipedia: University of Florida (history, classification and athletics)
[9] University of Florida Admissions: International graduate applicants and English proficiency (page without a date)
[10] UF Online: International students (page without a date)
[11] University of Florida, Student Financial Aid: Graduate costs (page without a date; 2026–27)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.