Admit rate has ranged 62%–80% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of North Florida (UNF) is a public university in Jacksonville that combines affordability with strong programs in health sciences and business. With a 53% acceptance rate and a campus culture that balances academic rigor with a laid-back Florida vibe, UNF attracts students who want personalized attention (average class size: 24) without the cutthroat competition of larger state schools. Its 1,300-acre nature preserve campus and 82% four-year graduation rate make it a hidden gem in the SUNY system.
Admission requirements
Test scores required
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
13,359
In-state tuition
$6,389
Out-of-state tuition
$20,793
Campus Size
1,300 acres
Acceptance Rate
53%
Median Earnings
$58,750
4-Year Grad Rate
82%
Students Receiving Aid
86%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$56,343
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
5.5×
Median debt at graduation
$15,531
Graduation rate
69%
First-year retention
85%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
59%
Pell (lower-income) share
61%
First-generation share
32%
Endowment / student
$11,079
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$66,897
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician$64,990
Mechanical Engineering$61,516
Civil Engineering$58,673
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$58,057
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
0.15
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
137
Summer high
88°F
Winter low
52°F
Annual rain
51.5"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
189
Scholarly works
11,822
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.7%
Bottom → top quintile
27%
From bottom quintile
6%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of North Florida?
University of North Florida's acceptance rate is approximately 53% (Jacksonville, FL), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of North Florida?
Admitted students at University of North Florida typically score 1070–1270 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of North Florida cost?
At University of North Florida, the average net price (after aid) is about $10,154 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of North Florida?
University of North Florida enrolls approximately 13,359 undergraduate students.
Where is University of North Florida located?
University of North Florida is located in Jacksonville, FL.
Admissions
UNF is moderately selective, admitting 53% of applicants—though its incoming Class of 2029 set records with an average high school GPA of 3.96. Test scores are middling (average SAT: 1125, ACT: 22), but the university superscores both exams and doesn't require the SAT essay. Notably, 86% of students receive financial aid, reflecting UNF's mission as an accessible public institution. The Common Application is accepted, and deferred admission is permitted for those postponing enrollment.
Health professions and business dominate UNF's academic landscape, with popular majors including Public Health (BSH), Healthcare Management (BHM), and Business Analytics. The university emphasizes 'matching competencies to needs'—a practical approach evident in its 82% four-year graduation rate. Small classes (average size: 24) and the 1,300-acre campus nature preserve allow for hands-on learning. While not as research-intensive as UF or FSU, UNF punches above its weight in applied fields like coastal biology and logistics.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$56,415
Finance and Financial Management Services$48,539
Accounting and Related Services$48,432
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Only 23% of students live on campus, giving UNF a commuter-school vibe—but the Office of Student Life counters this with free food events, intramurals, and 200+ clubs. Reddit reviews praise the 'beautiful' campus and frequent free events, though some note the social scene requires effort for off-campus students. The nature trails and campus lake foster an outdoorsy culture, while Jacksonville's beaches and nightlife are 20 minutes away. Division I athletics (Atlantic Sun Conference) draw modest school spirit.
UNF graduates earn median salaries of $58,750—notably higher than Florida's average ($45,519)—with business majors topping $68,750. The four-year graduation rate hit 50.6% in 2023, far exceeding the national average for public universities. Five years post-graduation, earnings jump to $55,626, suggesting strong career trajectory. The university emphasizes workforce alignment, with 84% of graduates employed in Florida—many in Jacksonville's booming healthcare and logistics sectors.
At $6,390 in-state tuition, UNF is one of Florida's most affordable four-year options—though 86% of students receive aid, bringing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $10,628. Out-of-state students pay $20,790, still below the national average. The Net Price Calculator factors in Florida's Bright Futures scholarships, which cover up to 100% of tuition for eligible residents. Living expenses are reasonable for Jacksonville, with nine-month Cost of attendanceThe full estimated yearly cost of a college: tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and other expenses, before any financial aid. estimated at $21,500 for residents.
UNF delivers a rare combo: the academic support of a small college (24:1 student-faculty ratio) with the affordability and career outcomes of a state university. Its nature-infused campus—complete with hiking trails and a kayak launch—feels more like a national park than a commuter school. For pre-professional students, especially in healthcare and business, it offers a clear ROI: 82% graduate in four years and out-earn peers by $10K+. The vibe is 'chill Florida' with surprising rigor beneath the surface.
University of North Florida logo · sourceUNF: Specialty Tours · sourceUniversity of North Florida - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourceUniversity of North Florida - State University System of Florida · source
