<p>Compare UW’s ($900M)and UM’s ($800M) research budget with UF ($500M) and see who is really busy. It’s not just about face time.</p>
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Huh??? 
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<p>Hawkette…your analysis is spot-on. I bet you do a good job of picking stocks, too. UF has a clear path to rise to the top ranks of public universities that is presently only hampered by a ridiculously low tuition…$100 per credit hour for in-state. If the Board of Governors get their way, this will be resolved over the coming years.</p>
<p>Back to the original Q: Hardly anyone on these boards would consider UF “prestigious” and it is a waste of time arguing to the contrary. But it is still a great school that will land you a lucrative career or get you into that truly “prestigious” grad program…even if it happens to be in that dreary cold weather up north.</p>
<p>Why does low tuition have any bearing on UF being a top-rated public?</p>
<p>SSobick,</p>
<p>I think one can argue ED works both ways. You can say EDs make the average (enrolled) lower because the standard is a little lower (though some argue that’s not necessarily the case for every school). But you can also argue EDs have 100% yield and therefore there wouldn’t be any drop in SAT between the admits and enrollees since they are the same. On the other hand, ED accounts for minority of the class, so any impact is gonna be very limited once you look at the big picture. Also, a drop of 40 or even more points is not uncommon for any non-HYPSM schools.</p>
<p>UCBChemEGrad - Every school with “higher rankings” is also vastly more expensive than UF…a point almost always overlooked when comparing schools. UF offers one of the best values in education available.</p>
<p>Still, if UF is to rise in the rankings, it must improve the Student-Faculty ratio, and a tuition increase is part of what is required.</p>
<p>You guys do know Tuition Differential was approved at UF. Starting this year they will be able to rise tuition 15%, next year 15% and 15% the year after that.</p>
<p>This goes above and beyond the regular tuition increases that the State University System of Florida makes.</p>
<p>UF’s Tuition rates should be at the national median within the next 5 years.</p>
<p>The state recently cut $157-million from Florida’s 11-university system and will cut as much as $171-million more this budget year due to state revenue shortfalls. Every university in the Florida system is currently facing drastic budget reductions. Don’t count on reduced class sizes at UF anytime soon.</p>
<p>They actually just issued a statement saying the cuts were far worse than projected. Read between the lines here: They are cutting the dead weight for the State University System of Florida.</p>
<p>Also the state is being proactive in trying to change their economy to being more Research Based.</p>
<p>According to USNWR data, U Florida’s tuition & fees are </p>
<p>In-State: $3256 and Out-of-State: $17,841 </p>
<p>If tuition is increased by 15% for each of the next three years, the costs in 3 years will be:</p>
<p>U Florida: In-State: $4952 and Out-of-State: $27,134</p>
<p>Here are some current tuition & fees costs to compare to:</p>
<p>U Michigan In-State: $10,341 and Out-of-State: $30,154 </p>
<p>U Wisconsin In-State: $8808 and Out-of-State: $21,438</p>
<p>Even after all of the projected costs increases for U Florida and factoring in no cost increases for U Michigan and U Wisconsin, only U Wisconsin for OOS students is cheaper. The other comparisons aren’t even close. U Florida is a definite bargain today and will remain more than competitive in affordability terms even after the projected increases.</p>
<p>As for the relative research funding, I don’t have the figures, but I suspect that the percentage of funding for research activity is growing faster at U Florida than at U Michigan or U Wisconsin (am I right, barrons?). But the demographic trends do favor increased political and governmental power to the Sunbelt states and I would ultimately expect this to translate into greater research funding from the government in the decades ahead. However, this is a long-run process that could be affected by many unknown variables and perhaps states like Michigan and Wisconsin will find ways to stabilize their economies and retain population and jobs and their current infrastructure advantages.</p>
<p>^ That is until global warming raises sea levels and wipes out most of Florida…:rolleyes:</p>
<p>Gainesville should still be on dry land in the worst case scenarios…
[Florida</a> Map - Global Warming Sea Level Rise Map](<a href=“http://geology.com/sea-level-rise/florida.shtml]Florida”>http://geology.com/sea-level-rise/florida.shtml)</p>
<p>Right, at 0.6 degreed per 100 years, we’re all goners!!! Please put the Kool AID glass down and take a deep breath.</p>
<p>^ Haha…yes, that’s why I put the rolling eyes at the end of my remark…</p>
<p>UW had an increase in research funding of $332 M from 99-06
UM uncreased $294M
UF increased $261 M</p>
<p>UF had a greater % increase but off a smaller base. As the base grows it gets tougher to gain market share. You are competing against stronger opponents.</p>
<p>UF also typically ranks in the top-5 nationally in patent-based technology transfer to the economy…so called, “mind-to-market”…much better than some “higher ranked” schools. It behooves the state legislature to support UF, as the economic return is realized with a very large multiplier…unfortunately, even with this incentive, there is strong political pressure to keep UF’s tuition far below its peer group.</p>
<p>Thanks for the numbers. I expected U Wisconsin and U Michigan to have higher absolute dollar increases, but I am surprised at how closely UF trailed them. The differences, particularly between U Florida and U Michigan, are not that large. And I think most readers on CC would also be surprised by this, given the relative research reputations of these two schools.</p>
<p>Do UF, Wisconsin and Michigan all have a medical school?</p>
<p>^ Yes, UF does have a Medical School. It’s currently teamed up with Shands, and produces almost $300 million a year in research.</p>
<p>As far as the disgustingly low tuition: The Legislature, the Alumni, the Administration, and the Students all know the tuition needs to rise to at least the national average. Things are finally starting to change in this regard. </p>
<p>Aside the new Tuition Differential money, their is an across the board 13% rise in tuition for all universities in the State University System of Florida.</p>
<p>Hawkette, Michigan is currently revamping its research funding activities. In the past, it only targeted federal and state funding. Now, recognizing the need to grow private funding, it is targeting companies and other private organizations.</p>
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<p>I’m confused with the premise of “disgustingly low” tuition…sounds like an oxymoron. If you can get great quality for the cheapest price, that’s the best of both worlds.</p>
<p>UF has a strong academic reputation despite its low tuition. Are you guys arguing that if UF were to raise its tuition, it would improve academic reputation?</p>
<p>This might be the case to raise needed money and there would be a lag before the money could have an impact.</p>
<p>It’s ironic that the top privates are so rich, that they’re ripping up tuition bills for students.</p>