UF vs Univ of Alabama

<p>Hello all, my daughter has been admitted to UA Honors and we just found out she was admitted to UF (non-honors although she can petition if she chooses). She will be getting a nice scholarship to UA, about a third tuition. She will probably get something from UF but not that much I assume. We live on Long Island in NY. Can anyone help us to make our decision? I'd just like to hear some other opinions. THANKS!</p>

<p>UF rarely hands out scholarships, and if they do, it isn’t much. However, UF is ranked much higher then UA, even with the UA honors college. The value of education she’d get at UF far outweighs that of UA in my opinion.
In addition, the fact that UF only accepts about 3% out of state students indicates that your daughter was exceptional enough to make that 3% at UF. In my opinion, a degree from UF (depending on her major) will look much better than a degree from UA.</p>

<p>It depends on you daughters major. UF is higher ranked (generally) than UA. But if your daughters major is ranked higher in UA, then its logical to go to UA for academics. However I am unsure about scholarships and extra funds. I am also unsure which is a better place by means of having a good social life, resources, and such. While I never experienced life at UA, I am in UF and I can certainly say UF does have those qualities.</p>

<p>Thanks for your reply. I didn’t realize when she was accepted that the OOS numbers for UF were so low. UA admits about 50% OOS. My daughter wants to be a dietician so I am not sure how important it is to have a diploma from one school versus the other. We visited both schools and in the areas of quality of life, dorms, friendly administration, UA won hands down. But the reputation factor really tugs on me. Is it true that UF is #2 in the nation for public universities? To those of you attending UF, do you LOVE it?</p>

<p>Number 3 on Best Value
[Kiplinger’s</a> Best Values in Public Colleges-Kiplinger](<a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-public-colleges/index.php]Kiplinger’s”>Best College Values, 2019 | Kiplinger)</p>

<p>And overall it is ranked 17 on this list
[Top</a> Public Schools | Rankings | Top National Universities | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/top-public/spp+50]Top”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/top-public/spp+50)</p>

<p>Here in Florida (so there might be a bias), those that have the best grades go to UF. Those that didn’t take AP classes and didn’t make great grades don’t even bother applying to UF and go to UA. Does that correlate to how good the schools are? Don’t know, but it might be an indication. I have no idea how the schools stack up to one another when comparing specific degrees.</p>

<p>I’ve done a alot of research on both of these colleges in my personal search of universities. University of Florida seems to be a better school overall - academically, majority of sports, location, atmosphere - and if your daughter is looking for a fun college life, Florida is a good choice also. I’ve heard that Alabama has a good science program too, and you only need a 3.4 GPA to get into UA honors, and I’ve heard that it isnt an extremely strong one but I cant find a way to compare UA honors to UF.
Either school is a solid choice. Personally with what I have found about each university, I would choose Florida. If your daughter (like me) is outgoing, hardworking, and wants her college years to be the best years of her life, though these schools are very similar, I think UF has the edge for that type of personality.</p>

<p>paytonmcl, 2013cheer, and scudrunner, thanks for your replies. I really think I need to visit UF with my daughter, only my daughter and husband visited and I missed the trip. Thanks for taking the time out to give me your opinions.</p>

<p>Catinhat - The post regarding UF being a good value is for in-state tuition. I am not sure if UF is worth the price for out of state over UA. My husband and I both attended UF in the 80s and 90s. We live in Alabama. Many of our friends went to UA and a lot of my daughters friends go to UA. It is an excellent school, beautiful campus and very generous with scholarships. Don’t write it off because it’s in Alabama. I’ve heard many great things about the UA Honors program. Their dorms are really nice! I think you’re probably getting the better insight on the UA forum. Good luck to your daughter and congratulations on the acceptance to UF and UA.</p>

<p>momofthreee95 – thanks so much for your reply. I am starting to feel the very way that you described. Even though it is a feather in her cap to have been admitted to UF, the deal we are getting from what appears to be a best kept secret kind of university can not be overlooked. we are simply floored by UA, can’t say the same yet for UF. thanks again.</p>

<p>If you aren’t floored by UF you haven’t spoken to enough of their students! Or visited enough. They don’t call it Gator Nation for nothing!<br>
UA is a good school but UF is far and above for reputation and academics. No, the front desk at UF these days may not be over-welcoming–the house is full but for lots of great reasons. Not a whole lot of merit money (very true!)–because everyone wants to go there! Congrats on being admitted!<br>
UF will give you a top public university. Top research money and internship possibilities. Lots of study areas (if you decide to change your major area), great academics in all cases, and a great social college experience which is hard to beat.</p>

<p>Something to keep in mind, Alabama has about 50% enrollment from out of state. Florida has 3%, among the lowest OOS of any school in the country. Not sure if that would matter for your D, but she would be surrounded almost entirely by Floridians.</p>

<p>Yes being a part of the Gator Nation is great, but for someone from NY is UF worth $200,000 for a 4 year degree? Probably not when catlinhat95 has great scholarships elsewhere.</p>

<p>I’m not sure about the OOS finances for UF. You may be overstating it especially since OOS tuition is already in effect for UA as the alternative (even with merit money). Finance options are up to the OP to decide.
And UF isn’t Miami (private school) tuition in any case.</p>

<p>I say go to UA. It’d be cheaper than UF even without the merit scholarship. If she wants to go to get another degree after her undergrad, UA would be the best for the long run.</p>

<p>According to UF: Out-of-state undergraduates should add $22,278 to projected tuition/fees. Projected tuition/fees/other costs for 2013 is $20,580</p>

<p>FWIW, Kiplinger has UF ranked 11th best-value public for OOS costs:</p>

<p>[Kiplinger’s</a> Best Values in Public Colleges-Kiplinger](<a href=“Best College Values, 2019 | Kiplinger”>Best College Values, 2019 | Kiplinger)=ALL&id=none&sortby=out_rank&sortorder=ASC#colleges</p>