University of North Florida

UNF has admissions requirements that are less stringent than the other big Florida state schools, and the campus was really beautiful!

Our tour began by talking about their 17 division one sports teams. There is a tradition each year when all the UNF D1 teams compete against their rival, Jacksonville University, in the River City Rumble. Their fitness center was really impressive and is the largest weight room out of all the Florida schools. The D1 teams participate in the Atlantic Sun conference, and basketball and volleyball are some of the most popular sports for people to watch. They do offer beach volleyball and have a surf team that competes at the club level. The fact that they don’t have a football team helps keep the tuition lower than other state schools.

UNF is home to 17,000 students and is located on 1400 acres in Jacksonville, 300 acres of which is a natural preserve. They offer eco adventures like zip lining, paddleboarding, canoeing, and you can check out camping equipment for free. The nature preserve and all the lakes are so serene.

When it comes to admissions, UNF has some unique offerings. Juniors can apply in July, and admissions representatives travel across the state so students can get an on the spot admissions decision before their senior year even starts. This is the first school to mention the fact that if you apply to start school in the summer, there are lower requirements than those for the fall. It’s also a great way to get adjusted to college life and the campus. I will list the fall middle 50% data points with the summer equivalents in parentheses: GPA 3.6-4.5 (3.37-4.3), SAT 1100-1260 (1000-1150), and ACT 22-28 (20-25). The total cost of attendance for a Florida resident is $21,730, and if you live out of state, the cost comes to $36,130 per year. Scholarships are given based on merit and need. Go, Ospreys!