University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, Florida, is a very large public research university with nearly 57,000 students. It is well known for its Engineering, Business, Health Sciences, Law, and Agriculture programs. Admissions are fairly selective, with an acceptance rate of nearly 24%. UF boasts a high six-year graduation rate of nearly 88%, and its graduates earn average starting salaries of USD $55,000–62,000 (INR 46–52 lakhs) per year.
Florida State University (FSU), situated in Tallahassee, Florida, is a massive public university with approximately 42,000 students. It specializes in majors such as Business, Arts & Sciences, Film, Engineering, and Social Sciences. Admissions become relatively less competitive, with an acceptance rate of roughly 25%. The graduation rate at FSU is around 79%, and graduates receive average starting salaries of USD $50,000–56,000 (INR 42–47 lakhs) per year.
| University of Florida | Florida State University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.6 Out of 10 | 4.4 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 134 Times Higher Education 2026 # 212 QS World University 2026 # 86 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 301 Times Higher Education 2026 # 549 QS World University 2026 # 301 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 43 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 145 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 38 for Law by US News 2025 | # 251 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 401 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 38 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -111 PG Programs -84 Doctorate Programs -8 | UG Programs -100 PG Programs -79 |
| Acceptance Rate | 24.0 % | 25.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6 MELAB-77 SAT-1310 TOEFL-80 | Duolingo-120 IELTS-6.5 PTE-55 SAT-1190 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 28658 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 30134 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 12120 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 29362 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 24420 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 17418 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | #81 for Graduate Employability Rank (2023) Average Salaries Are Listed Below:
| Some of the top employers of the university include: Insight Global, Techtronic Industries(TTi), Deloitte, RSM US LLP, PepsiCo, L3HarrisGallagher, KPMG LLP, EY, ALDI, Inc., Protiviti, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: Masters in Finance: $133,000 Masters in Science: $100,000 Bachelor of Science: $95,000 Bachelor of Arts: $59,000 Doctorate: $55,000 |
| application requirements | Supplement statement for both UG and PG programs. International students are required to apply through university online portal and not common application portal. | - |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Hough Graduate School of Business | NA |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.9/10 Read 17 reviews | 8.6/10 Read 20 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 38 for Business by US News 2025 # 101 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 102 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 105 for Business by US News 2025 # 251 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 301 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | GMAT - 680/800GRE - 308/340IELTS - 7.5/9TOEFL - 90/120 | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 66/90TOEFL - 100/120 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Oct 15, 2025 (Application and Document submission Deadline For 2026 Intake) Aug 15, 2025 (Orientation period for 2026 Intake) | Jan 15, 2026 (Priority Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Jun 1, 2026 (Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Florida | Florida State University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1853 | |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 17:1 |
| Male:Female | 46% Male, 54% Female | 44% Male, 56% Female |
| Location Facts | Largest single-campus university in the nation. The only university in USA with 6 different healthcare colleges. The campus is bounded by Archer Road and University Avenue. You can visit local and state parks in Gainesville. | The main campus is located at Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State University Panama City is located 100 miles (160 km) from the main campus. |
| Library | 4,577,222 volumes, 8,099,054 microforms; 629,979 ebooks; 78,797 e-journals; 356 electronic databases. | The Florida State University Libraries provide collections and services to enhance the learning, teaching, research, and service activities of the University. The Libraries’ collections include over 4 million titles and offers access to more than 1,064 databases and 120,000 electronic journals, supplemented by a robust interlibrary loan program, including the statewide UBorrow system which includes over 15 million books from all 40 state university and college libraries. |
| Campus Life | Campus has Florida Museum of Natural History, | Florida State University is a traditional residential university wherein most students live on campus in university residence halls or nearby in privately owned residence halls, apartments and residences. Florida State currently has 18 residence halls on campus, housing undergraduate, graduate and international students. Florida State University has more than 700 organizations and clubs for students to join. They range from cultural and athletic to philanthropy.The Bobby E. Leach Student Recreation Center is a 120,000 square foot fitness facility located right in the heart of campus. The Leach Pool is a 16-lane by 25-yard indoor swimming facility with two 1-meter and two 3-meter diving boards. A complete spa area is located just off the pool deck and is equipped with two whirlpools, two steam rooms, and a sauna. The leach center provides over 100 free group fitness classes offered weekly along with personal training provided by NSCA-certified personal trainers. A large amount of student life is centered around the FSU Student Union, located on the North side of campus. The FSU campus is served by eight bus routes of the Seminole Express Bus Service. The Seminole Express Bus Service provides transportation to, around, and from campus to the surrounding Tallahassee areas for Faculty, Staff, Students and Visitors. |
| Hostel | #Living Expenses - $12120 | #Housing (Living with Parents) - $3944 #Housing (On Campus & Off Campus) - $7890 |
| Famous Alumni | Half a million students had graduated from University of Florida. Eight Former US ambassador, 6 astronauts, and 10 former lorida governors. Notable alumni are Michael Connelly (author), Maurkice Puncey (football center), Faye Dunaway (actress), Marco Rubio (senator of Florida), Kevin Ford (Astronaut), Katie Miller (American Government Appointee). | Winston Scott, Former NASA astronaut Norman Thagard, Former NASA astronaut and currently a tenured professor of engineering at Florida State University Lex Hester, Consolidation architect, former chief administrative officer in Orlando, Broward County and Jacksonville Margaret Keyes, American academic and heritage preserver. Sandon Berg, Film producer, actor, and screenwriter; co-founder of the United Gay Network Sara Blakely, President and founder of Spanx; judge on ABC's former reality television series American Inventor |
| City Life | Gainesville is the largest city in Alachua County; It has a regional transit system, a municipal airport, and a championship golf course; Education, healthcare, retail and hospitality are the largest employing sectors; Unemployment rate was 3.0% in January 2020; Major tourist attractions are Butterfly Rainforest, Florida Museum of Natural History, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Sweetwater Wetlands Park, etc. | Located on the edge of the tree-covered Red Hills region near the border of Georgia, Tallahassee enjoys four distinct seasons. The city’s Southern heritage influences its architecture, landscape, attitude and pace of life. Locals are friendly and inviting, uniting every football season to cheer on their hometown heroes, the FSU Seminoles and FAMU Rattlers. With three higher education institutions in town, locals can take advantage of cultural activities, sporting events and nightlife. The two universities’ music schools host student concerts and attract professional performers. Florida State University’s art, dance and writing programs also offer events. Local real estate is more affordable here than in some other Florida cities, despite rising property values and home sale prices. |
| Weather |
University of Florida vs Florida State University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
International rankings typically place the University of Florida (UF) higher than Florida State University (FSU). According to the QS World University Rankings 2026, UF is ranked roughly 212 globally, while FSU is ranked about 549. UF has a strong research profile and is highly regarded in the fields of engineering, business, life sciences, medicine, and law. With superior applied research and local impact, FSU is ranked higher in the Arts & Humanities, Business, Law, Social Sciences, and Earth Sciences.
General Information
UF is a large public research university with approximately 57,000 students that was founded in Gainesville, Florida, in 1853. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional courses. FSU, which was founded in 1851 in Tallahassee, Florida, educates about 44,000 students and has a sizable campus with a strong emphasis on professional education, liberal studies, and research.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
The engineering, business, and health sciences programs at UF are highly competitive, and the admissions process is 24% selective. FSU offers competitive business, law, arts, and science programs and is a 25% selective university. Both universities have sizable in-state applicant pools, and the number of international students attending is rising.
Research Impact & Facilities
UF is a Carnegie R1 doctoral research university, with top-of-the-line facilities in STEM, medicine, agriculture, and business, as well as collaborations with industry and government. FSU is also actively engaged in research, especially in the arts, humanities, social sciences, business, and environmental studies, focusing on applied and inter/multidisciplinary research.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both are state-supported institutions. In-state students pay moderate fees, while out-of-state and foreign students pay more. Both universities provide merit scholarships, need-based financial assistance, and special program awards. UF's bigger endowment accommodates higher levels of research as well as graduate funding initiatives.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UF graduates are successful in engineering, business, medicine, law, and research with extensive international and regional connections. FSU graduates are successful in arts, business, law, education, and public service with high placement in Florida and the southeast U.S.
