Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Jacksonville, Florida
62.3% Acceptance Rate
University of North Florida — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
62.3%Acceptance Rate
3.89Avg GPA
1115Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$20,229Annual Cost
$56,343Grad Salary
30.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
62.3%
Avg GPA
3.89
Avg SAT
1115
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
990–1210
ACT Middle 50%
20–26
Avg Net Price
$10,353
Need-Based Aid
30.8% receive Pell
University of North Florida is a public research university in Jacksonville known for its commitment to academic excellence, student-centered learning, and community engagement. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, the university provides a dynamic campus experience with a focus on high-impact research, leadership development, and professional success. Its beautiful, nature-integrated campus and robust support services make it a high-value destination for students seeking a well-rounded and professionally oriented educational journey.
University of North Florida Acceptance Rate
University of North Florida is moderately selective — 62.3% of applicants are admitted — with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What UNF Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 62.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.89 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.69 – 3.88
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.44
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of North Florida Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University of North Florida is September 2 for Early Admission applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by September 16.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 39 days left — Early Admission
Early Admission
September 2
Decision by: September 16
International (Spring)
October 1
Final Admission (Spring 2027 term)
November 1
Priority Admission
November 18
Decision by: December 9
International (Summer)
February 1
International (Fall)
April 1
Standard Admission
December 16
Decision by: January 13
💡 The scholarship deadline (September 2, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UNF GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UNF is 3.89. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.59 and 3.89, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 4.09–4.29.UNF GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.89 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.69 – 3.88
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.49 – 3.68
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.48
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test scores (SAT, ACT, or CLT) are required for first-time-in-college applicants as of the 2025-26 cycle, despite outdated "test-optional" info still circulating online.
- No essay section (SAT/ACT/CLT) required; UNF superscores across all test attempts.
- Acceptance rate is reported inconsistently across sources (roughly 53%?77%) - confirm current cycle data directly with admissions.
- Campus includes over 1,300 acres of protected wetlands and forest preserve.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UNF
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of North Florida's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of North Florida (UNF) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UNF is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into UNF Without SAT or ACT?
UNF requires SAT or ACT scores — applications without them won't be reviewed. Plan test dates early, and if your first score lands below the average shown below, sit for it again.
University of North Florida Average SAT Score: 1115
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of North Florida is 1115 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1115 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1210 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of North Florida allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 990, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UNF. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 535 | 480 | 590 |
| SAT Reading | 565 | 510 | 620 |
| SAT Composite | 1115 | 990 | 1210 |
Below 990, you're behind most admitted students; at 1210 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into University of North Florida (UNF) with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of UNF's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of North Florida (UNF) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at UNF is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT English | 22 | 19 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 20 | 26 |
Can I get into University of North Florida with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of UNF's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at UNF.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UNF
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
UNF takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Submit SAT/ACT/CLT scores - don't skip this
UNF ended its test-optional policy for the 2025-26 cycle and now requires test scores for first-time-in-college applicants, unlike many peer schools that remain test-optional.
Superscore strategically
UNF combines your best section scores across multiple test dates, and as of 2025-26 no longer requires the ACT Science subsection - retesting on weak sections can meaningfully raise your composite.
Don't over-invest in essay writing
UNF doesn't require the SAT/ACT/CLT essay section or a separate application essay - prioritize your test score strategy and transcript over polishing essay prose.
Lean into the campus's environmental identity if relevant
Over 1,300 acres of protected wetlands and forest surround UNF - a genuine differentiator worth naming if you're applying to environmental science, biology, or sustainability programs.
Expert Insight:
Students relying on outdated "UNF is test-optional" articles are a real problem - that policy changed for 2025-26, and applying without scores when they're now required can stall or sink an application.
UNF Profile
Full Name
University of North Florida (UNF)
City
Jacksonville
State
Florida
ZIP Code
32224-7699
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a UNF Degree Worth It?
UNF offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $62,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.91%.
How much does a degree from UNF Cost?
The sticker price is $20,229/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $10,353.
30.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 24.4% take federal loans at UNF — file your FAFSA early and list UNF as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a UNF Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $56,343 — about 39% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of North Florida. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of North Florida. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of North Florida. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at UNF
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UNF Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of North Florida run about $56,343 a year.
At about $20,229 a year, University of North Florida is on the more affordable end.
About 30.8% receive a Pell Grant at University of North Florida — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 62.3%, University of North Florida's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of North Florida average a 3.89 GPA.
University of North Florida doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.59 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.49, University of North Florida becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of North Florida — aim above 1115, ideally within the 990–1210 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of North Florida is September 2 for Early Admission applicants. Admission decisions are released by September 16.
The application fee is 30. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is September 2, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.