UNF vs. Nova

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL with Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Nova Southeastern University is larger than UNF based on total student enrollment (20,910 students vs. 16,154 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Florida is located in Jacksonville, FL (Large City setting); Nova Southeastern University is in Fort Lauderdale, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of North Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nova Southeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Florida 19:1; Nova Southeastern University 16:1.

UNF vs. Nova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNF or Nova? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Florida than Nova ($11,135 vs. $31,858).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Florida are 29.9% lower than at Nova Southeastern University ($11,810 vs. $16,840).
• Nova Southeastern University is 505.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNF (about $32,311 more per year; $38,700.00 vs. $6,389.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.1% higher at Nova than at University of North Florida (about $17,907 more per year; $38,700.00 vs. $20,793.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nova Southeastern University than at University of North Florida (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nova Southeastern University students is 166.2% larger than aid received by University of North Florida students ($24,965 vs. $9,377).

UNF vs. Nova Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNF or Nova? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Nova and UNF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Florida (1170) is the same as at Nova (1170).
• Incoming Nova students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at UNF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Florida 1070/1270; Nova Southeastern University 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Florida 19/25; Nova Southeastern University 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNF - Required; Nova - Required.
• Accepted freshman Nova students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at UNF (3.89).
• Nova has a higher acceptance rate (73.2%) than UNF (53.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at UNF vs. 15.6% at Nova.

UNF vs. Nova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNF and Nova? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of North Florida's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Nova Southeastern University's (43%).
• Graduates from Nova Southeastern University earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than UNF graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,300 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Florida graduates have a $9,100 lower median loan debt than Nova graduates ($16,000 vs. $25,100).
• Among borrowers, UNF graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nova graduates ($165 vs. $259).
• More UNF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nova students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.