CampusGrader College Profile

University of Florida

Get to know UF through official university information and approved student perspectives on academics, housing and dining, safety and support, cost and value, campus life and career preparation.

Gainesville, Florida Public Research University Origins Dating to 1853
GNV
Location Gainesville, Florida
U
School Type Public research university
1853
Origins Traces its beginnings to 1853
↗
Official Website UFL.edu
University of Florida overview

A Large Public University With a Strong Gainesville Identity

The University of Florida combines broad academics, research, residential life, student organizations, athletics and professional opportunities within an active Gainesville college community.

Why Students Consider UF

Students may be drawn to UF for its academic options, public university environment, research opportunities, school spirit, alumni community and the experience of living in Gainesville.

1
Broad academic opportunities Students can consider programs across agriculture, arts, business, engineering, health, journalism, sciences and other areas.
2
An active campus community Residence life, student groups, events, traditions, recreation and athletics provide many ways to participate.
3
Research and professional preparation Students may find opportunities through research, career services, internships, employers and alumni connections.

Questions to Consider Before Applying

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Are you comfortable at a large university? A large campus offers many choices, but students may need to take initiative when seeking advising, support and community.
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Which academic path fits your goals? Requirements, class access and student experiences can vary depending on the college, school or program.
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How will residency affect the cost? Compare tuition, aid, housing, food, transportation and personal expenses based on your residency and circumstances.
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How do you feel about the Florida climate? Heat, humidity, rain and storm preparation can all become part of everyday student life in Gainesville.
What UF offers

Strengths That Make the University of Florida Worth a Closer Look

College fit remains personal, but UF offers qualities that may appeal to students seeking academic range, research, campus energy and a strong public-university community.

A

Academic Range

Students can review many undergraduate, graduate and professional areas of study across the university.

R

Research Environment

Research centers, faculty projects and laboratories may provide opportunities for learning beyond the classroom.

G

Gator Community

Traditions, organizations, athletics and alumni relationships can contribute to a strong shared campus identity.

W

Career Preparation

Career advising, employer connections, internships and alumni networks can support preparation for life after college.

A brief history

The University of Florida Traces Its Beginnings to 1853

UF developed from several earlier Florida institutions before the modern university and Gainesville campus took shape in the early twentieth century.

Origins 1853 · Gainesville Campus 1906

From Earlier Institutions to Gainesville

UF traces its beginnings to the East Florida Seminary. Florida later consolidated several institutions into the University of Florida, and Gainesville became the location of the university’s permanent campus.

East Florida Seminary

UF traces its earliest institutional roots to the East Florida Seminary, which began in 1853 and later operated in Gainesville.

The University of Florida Takes Shape

In 1905, Florida consolidated several state-supported institutions to form the University of Florida.

The Gainesville Campus

Gainesville was selected for the campus, which opened in 1906 and continued expanding as the university grew.

History Is One Part of the Decision

UF’s history and traditions are meaningful, but student perspectives add context about academics, housing, costs, support, climate and everyday campus life today.

The campus experience

What Students May Want to Understand Before Visiting UF

Approved student input can help families arrive in Gainesville with better questions and a clearer idea of what to examine during a campus visit.

L

Large Campus Scale

Students may travel among classrooms, residence areas, libraries, dining facilities, recreation and activities across campus.

H

Housing and Dining

Residence location, room type, dining access, transportation and community can influence the student experience.

$

Cost and Residency

Total cost may differ based on Florida residency, financial aid, housing choices and personal circumstances.

C

Campus Community

Organizations, residence life, recreation, traditions and athletics can help students find their place.

☀

Weather and Climate

Gainesville’s heat, humidity, rain and storm season may influence transportation, housing and daily routines.

GNV

Life in Gainesville

Local housing, restaurants, transportation, entertainment and the surrounding college-town environment shape life beyond campus.

Official UF resources

Verify Important Details Directly With the University

CampusGrader adds student perspective. The University of Florida remains the primary source for admissions, aid, housing, academics and student-support information.

Undergraduate Admissions

Review application requirements, deadlines, campus visits and information for prospective students.

UF Admissions

Financial Aid

Review aid applications, scholarships, cost information and financial-aid guidance.

Financial Aid

Housing and Residence Life

Learn about residence halls, applications, housing options and residential services.

UF Housing

Academic Programs

Review UF’s colleges, programs, courses and available areas of study.

UF Academics

Student Life and Support

Find student services, transition support and resources for life at UF.

Student Life

Career Development

Review career planning, employer connections, internships and professional-development resources.

Career Connections
CampusGrader results

University of Florida Ratings by Category

Pending submissions never affect public ratings, grades, rankings, comparisons or approved review counts.

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Building the UF Review Picture

Approved reviews can be read immediately. A public overall grade appears after at least three approved University of Florida reviews are available.

Share Your Experience
Public-grade threshold: 3 approved reviews

Six Public Rating Categories

Every live category result displays its star rating, CampusGrader letter grade and approved review count together.

Academics Not rated
★★★★★

0 approved reviews · No grade

Housing & Dining Not rated
★★★★★

0 approved reviews · No grade

Safety & Support Not rated
★★★★★

0 approved reviews · No grade

Cost & Value Not rated
★★★★★

0 approved reviews · No grade

Campus Life Not rated
★★★★★

0 approved reviews · No grade

Career Support Not rated
★★★★★

0 approved reviews · No grade

What students rate

The Six Areas That Shape the UF Experience

These categories help students and families understand parts of college life that may be difficult to gauge from official information alone.

A

Academics

Courses, professors, advising, workload, academic expectations, class access and learning support.

H

Housing & Dining

Residence halls, room conditions, dining options, location, transportation and everyday convenience.

S

Safety & Support

Campus safety, health services, counseling, accessibility, advising and staff responsiveness.

$

Cost & Value

Tuition, aid, housing, transportation, personal expenses and the perceived value of the experience.

C

Campus Life

Student organizations, friendships, traditions, athletics, recreation and balance outside the classroom.

W

Career Support

Internships, career services, networking, mentoring, recruiting and preparation for life after graduation.

Approved reviews

University of Florida Student Reviews

Read moderated experiences from eligible reviewers. Approved reviews can be published before the three-review public-grade threshold is reached.

✎

No approved UF reviews yet

A thoughtful review can help another student understand what it may feel like to study, live and build community at the University of Florida before planning a visit or making a final decision.

Be the First to Review UF

Learn More Before You Plan the Trip

Visiting Gainesville can be valuable, but travel takes time and money. CampusGrader gives students and families another voice to consider before deciding which campuses deserve a closer look. Student perspectives can also help visitors arrive with better questions.

Continue your research

Take the Next Step With a Clearer Picture

Use official university information, approved student experiences and your priorities together when deciding whether UF may be a good fit.

1

Review Official UF Information

Confirm programs, admissions requirements, aid, housing, deadlines and current policies directly with the university.

Visit UFL.edu
2

Browse More Colleges

Review other college profiles using the same CampusGrader categories and approved-review standards.

College Directory
3

Share Your Experience

Help another student through honest, balanced, respectful and specific feedback about a college you know.

Submit a Review
Common questions

University of Florida Profile FAQ

Quick answers about the university profile, student reviews and the CampusGrader rating process.

Is the University of Florida a public university?
Yes. The University of Florida is a public research university located in Gainesville, Florida.
When was the University of Florida founded?
UF traces its beginnings to 1853. The modern university was formed through consolidation in 1905, and its Gainesville campus opened in 1906.
How does CampusGrader calculate UF’s grade?
Only approved reviews are included. Public displays show the star rating, CampusGrader letter grade and approved review count together. Pending submissions do not affect public results.
Why is there no public grade yet?
CampusGrader withholds the overall public grade until at least three approved reviews are available. Individual approved reviews may appear before that threshold is reached.
Does CampusGrader replace official UF information?
No. CampusGrader adds approved student perspectives. Admissions, cost, program, deadline and policy information should always be verified directly with the University of Florida.
School information last reviewed: June 2026 See something that needs correction? Contact CampusGrader.
i

Independent Profile and Transparency Note

CampusGrader is an independent college review and comparison platform. The University of Florida does not control this profile. CampusGrader provides an additional student-focused perspective, not a replacement for information from the university. Verify important admissions, cost, program, deadline and policy details directly with UF.

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