“Public R2 research university on a 1,300-acre Jacksonville campus within a natural preserve.”
The University of North Florida (UNF) is a mid-sized public university in Jacksonville, Florida — part of the 12-member State University System of Florida — sitting on a 1,381-acre nature-preserve campus along the city's southeast side, close to Jacksonville Beach and the Intracoastal Waterway. Founded in 1969 and opened to students in 1972, UNF has grown into a university of roughly 16,500 students organized across five colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Coggin College of Business, the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction, the Brooks College of Health, and the College of Education and Human Services. The campus itself is unusually biodiverse — more than 500 acres are preserved wildlife reserve with 7+ miles of hiking and biking trails — giving UNF the feel of a residential college built inside a state park. Academically, UNF is recognized for its strong pre-professional programs in nursing (the Brooks College of Health is a major regional pipeline for Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Baptist Health, and UF Health Jacksonville), business (Coggin College's International Business and GlobalMBA are ranked among the best globally by CEO Magazine), computer science, engineering, and the acclaimed jazz studies program within the School of Music. The university takes a 'transformational learning opportunities' (TLO) approach, embedding study abroad, undergraduate research, community-based learning, and internships into the core student experience. Class sizes are moderate (roughly 20:1 student-faculty ratio), and the Osprey mascot reflects a campus deeply tied to the Florida coastal environment — marine and coastal biology programs make direct use of UNF's own environmental preserve. For international students, UNF is a relatively affordable public option in Florida, with a dedicated International Center that supports students from 100+ countries. UNF is required to follow Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.002 and requires SAT, ACT, or CLT scores for first-time-in-college (FTIC) applicants (including international applicants) — unlike many other US universities that have gone test-optional. Jacksonville itself is Florida's largest city by land area, with an economy anchored by healthcare, financial services, logistics, and a growing tech sector — offering genuine internship and post-graduation career access without the higher cost of Miami, Orlando, or Tampa.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
International Student Enrollment (F-1)
DHS SEVIS by the Numbers (2024)
Research Activity
Carnegie Classifications (2021)
Research Classification
Carnegie Classification
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourcePriority Deadline (Fall)
Admissions decisions released first; priority consideration for admissions scholarships.
Regular Deadline (Fall)
Supporting materials due by 11:59 p.m. ET on May 15 for summer/fall admission. Fall 2026 application opens March 1, 2026.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
$6,389
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$20,793
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
4 years
A competitive, nationally accredited BSN with clinical placements across the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Baptist Health, UF Health Jacksonville, and Wolfson Children's Hospital. One of the region's largest nurse-producer programs and a feeder to Florida's healthcare workforce.
4 years
A signature UNF program combining core business foundations with a required semester abroad and a second-language concentration; linked to Coggin's top-ranked GlobalMBA partnership with universities in France, Germany, Mexico, and Poland.
4 years
A field-heavy biology program that leverages UNF's 500+ acre campus preserve and proximity to the St. Johns River and Atlantic Ocean; strong feeder to graduate marine-science programs and Florida environmental agencies.
4 years
Consistently ranked among the country's top jazz programs, with student ensembles performing at DownBeat festivals and alumni placing in major professional jazz scenes nationally.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $20,793
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
