The Florida Warrington MBA is the full-time MBA at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business (Hough Graduate School of Business) in Gainesville. U.S. News ranks it No. 39 in its 2026 list and No. 4 for return on investment. It is hard to get into: Poets&Quants reports that UF admitted just 13.3% of 226 applicants in the 2025 cycle. A typical candidate has about four years of work experience, a 615 GMAT and a 3.4 GPA, and the two-year programme lists out-of-state tuition of $69,565.
UF lists 15 October as its Round 1 date and as the date for international applicants. That date passed on 15 October 2026, so your Deadline is 15 October 2027. Domestic Rounds 2 and 3 run to 15 January and 15 March or 15 May, and UF reviews late applications only if space remains. This guide covers the UF MBA requirements for international students, the three formats, the essays, costs, scholarships and outcomes.
Florida Warrington MBA at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | Full-Time MBA in three formats: two-year (22 months), one-year all majors (12 months), one-year business majors (10 months) |
| U.S. News rank | No. 39, 2026 Best Business Schools (released April 2026), tied with BYU Marriott |
| Acceptance rate (fall 2025 intake) | 13.3% of 226 applicants (Poets&Quants, from U.S. News data) |
| Typical candidate | About 4 years of experience, 615 GMAT, 3.4 GPA |
| Average GRE of applicants | 315 |
| Application fee | $30 |
| Out-of-state tuition, two-year | $69,565 (UF does not state whether per year or total) |
| English minimums (UF Graduate School) | TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5 |
| Accepted offers at 3 months (2024-25) | 87% |
| Average base salary | $124,783, with a $28,307 average signing bonus |
Florida Warrington MBA ranking
U.S. News ranked UF’s full-time MBA No. 39 in its 2026 Best Business Schools list, released on 7 April 2026, tied with BYU Marriott. Warrington’s MBA page also cites a No. 4 ranking for return on investment from U.S. News (2026) and Fortune’s 2025 list, which placed UF at No. 27 nationally and No. 9 among public schools. Poets&Quants’ own 2026 ranking puts UF at No. 35.
Florida Warrington MBA acceptance rate and class profile
UF does not publish an acceptance rate on its MBA pages. Poets&Quants, using data reported to U.S. News, gives these figures:
| Intake | Applications | Acceptance rate | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 226 | 13.3% | 63.3% |
| Fall 2024 | 185 | 28.1% | 61.5% |
| Fall 2023 | 126 | 30.2% | 47.4% |
Applications nearly doubled between 2023 and 2025 while the admit rate fell from 30% to 13%, so UF has become one of the most selective programmes ranked near it.
UF does not publish a class profile for a named cohort. Its full-time MBA page describes the typical candidate instead: about four years of work experience, a 615 GMAT and a 3.4 undergraduate GPA, with applicants averaging 315 on the GRE. UF does not give a class size or international share on that page.
Which UF full-time MBA format fits you
| Format | Length | Credits | Start | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-year MBA | 22 months | 48 | August | Any undergraduate major; includes a summer internship |
| One-year MBA, all majors | 12 months | 48 | May | Any major; faster but little room for an internship |
| One-year MBA, business majors | 10 months | 32 | June | Business degree completed within the last seven years |
Only the two-year format leaves a full summer for an internship, which is how many MBA students land their first U.S. job, so it is the natural choice if you plan to stay in the U.S. The one-year formats suit people returning to a job at home or switching within the same industry.
Florida Warrington MBA requirements for international students
- A bachelor’s degree, with transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended. Official records go to UF Graduate Admissions electronically or in a sealed, signed envelope; official transcripts must be on file if you are admitted.
- At least two years of work experience. Relevant internships may count toward this.
- A GMAT or GRE score. UF prefers the GMAT but reviews GRE scores. Institution code 5812; also email an unofficial GMAT report to the MBA office.
- A resume.
- Two letters of recommendation from business associates, current MBA students or alumni. Relatives and former professors are not accepted.
- Short answers and essays (see below).
- An interview, held after the initial assessment for all full-time applicants.
- The $30 application fee, waived for applicants who attend admissions events.
- TOEFL or IELTS unless you qualify for an exemption.
English requirements
| Test | UF graduate minimum |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 80 |
| TOEFL iBT new scale (effective spring 2027) | 4.5 overall, at least 4.0 in each section |
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| UF English Language Institute | Exit certificate accepted |
These are UF’s university-wide graduate minimums; Warrington’s MBA admissions page refers you to them and does not set higher scores. UF’s graduate catalog does not mention Duolingo or PTE. The academic unit can grant an exemption if you completed a degree, or one academic year of a degree, at an institution where English is the only language of instruction, or in a country where English is the only official language. If your degree was taught in English, ask the MBA office about an exemption before you book a test.
Florida Warrington MBA deadlines 2026-2027
| Round | Deadline (as listed by UF) |
|---|---|
| Round 1 and international applicants | 15 October 2027 (this year’s closed on 15 October 2026) |
| Round 2 (domestic) | 15 January 2027 |
| Round 3, one-year programme | 15 March 2027 |
| Round 3, two-year programme | 15 May 2027 |
(The international date is based on this year’s date; confirm on the official page when the call opens.) UF says it accepts applications year-round, reviews them once complete, aims to decide within four to six weeks and considers late applicants only if space remains. For a fall start, UF’s graduate catalog sets 15 May as the date by which departments must request your I-20. If you still want a 2027 start, email the MBA office now and ask whether international applications are being considered in Round 2.
International applicants
UF lists 15 October as its deadline for international applicants. With the 2026 date gone, plan for 15 October 2027, or ask the MBA office in writing whether a 2027 seat is still open to you.
How to apply, step by step
- Choose your format: two-year, one-year all majors, or one-year business majors.
- Take the GMAT (preferred) or GRE and send scores to code 5812.
- Take TOEFL or IELTS, or confirm an exemption with the MBA office.
- Ask two business contacts to write recommendations; UF links to the Common Letter of Recommendation template.
- Draft the four short answers and the essays.
- Apply online through UF’s MBA application portal, select Full-Time and pay the $30 fee.
- Send official transcripts to UF Graduate Admissions.
- Interview after the initial assessment.
- After admission: Pay the $1,000 non-refundable deposit and provide financial documents so UF can request your I-20 before 15 May.
Florida Warrington MBA essays 2026-2027
| Question | Type | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Significant extracurricular activities, associations and civic roles, in order of importance, with years and leadership positions | Short answer | 1,000 characters |
| Other interests and hobbies | Short answer | 1,000 characters |
| Academic, professional or civic honours, awards, patents or publications | Short answer | 1,000 characters |
| Main factors in your decision to apply to the UF MBA | Short answer | 1,000 characters |
| How you want your career to develop, and how your background and the UF MBA will help; international students name the country or region where they plan to work | Essay | 5,500 characters |
| Full-time only: a success you achieved through self-motivation, persistence and hard work, and what motivated you | Essay | 5,500 characters |
| Optional: anything else that will help the committee | Essay | 5,500 characters |
A 5,500-character limit is roughly 850 to 950 words, and 1,000 characters is about 150 words. Count characters with spaces, because that is how most application systems count.
Career development essay
Give a short-term role, a long-term direction and the bridge between them. The prompt asks international students to name where they plan to work, so be direct: say whether you will stay in the U.S. or return home, and name the industry there. Then tie specific parts of your past work and the UF programme to the gap you need to close.
For illustration: “I plan to work in corporate finance at a U.S. consumer goods company for three to five years, then return to Lagos to lead finance for a regional distributor.”
Self-motivation and persistence essay
This is only for full-time applicants and rewards a story with obstacles. Pick one achievement that took months, show the point where giving up was reasonable, and explain what kept you going. A number at the end (revenue, students taught, time saved) makes the result concrete.
For illustration: “It took me 14 months, three rejected proposals and a weekend accounting course to persuade my bank to automate loan reconciliations.”
Short answers
Rank activities honestly by importance, and add years and titles. In the why UF answer, mention the format you chose and something specific you learned about the programme, such as its seven-week modules.
The UF interview
Every full-time applicant who passes the initial assessment is interviewed before a decision. UF’s admissions page does not describe the format. Prepare to explain your career plan, your format choice and how you will fund the programme.
What the admissions committee looks for
- Two or more years of work with clear results.
- A competitive GMAT or GRE score; the typical candidate has about a 615 GMAT.
- A career plan that names a place and an industry.
- Evidence of persistence, which UF asks about directly.
- Recommendations from people who saw your work, not from professors or family.
Florida Warrington MBA tuition and cost
| Format | Florida resident | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Two-year MBA | $25,561 | $69,565 |
| One-year, all majors | $25,561 | $69,565 |
| One-year, business majors | $17,041 | $46,377 |
These are from Warrington’s MBA financial information page. UF does not say whether they are per year or for the whole programme, and the two-year and one-year all-majors prices are identical, so ask the MBA office before you budget. The full-time MBA overview page lists each figure $1,000 higher ($70,565 out-of-state for the two-year MBA), which matches the size of the non-refundable deposit. International students pay the out-of-state rate. UF does not publish a full cost of attendance for the MBA.
Costs not covered
- Housing, food and transport in Gainesville.
- Health insurance and university fees not in the listed price.
- GMAT, English test and transcript fees.
- The $1,000 deposit, paid upfront.
- SEVIS fee, visa fee and flights.
- Federal loans, since international students cannot file the FAFSA.
Florida Warrington MBA scholarships for international students
UF awards full-tuition and partial-tuition scholarships to selected competitive admitted students, in-state or out-of-state, and top candidates may be considered for further merit awards. Full-tuition awards cover only the Warrington credits needed for the degree. UF’s MBA pages do not say whether international students are eligible, do not name the awards and do not give amounts. The rule that international students receive only merit-based aid appears on UF’s page for other master’s programmes, not for the MBA.
Graduate assistantships described on that page are for Ph.D. students. UF’s MBA pages do not mention Prodigy Finance, MPOWER or loans without a U.S. co-signer. For outside funding, see our list of American scholarships for international students.
STEM designation and OPT
The Warrington full-time MBA pages I checked do not mention STEM designation or the STEM OPT extension. Assume you will have the standard 12 months of OPT unless UF confirms in writing that your MBA, or a concentration within it, carries a STEM-eligible CIP code.
Florida Warrington MBA salary and employment
- 87% of full-time MBA graduates accepted full-time offers by three months after graduation (2024-25).
- 94% received full-time offers by three months after graduation (UF’s ROI section).
- Average base salary $124,783 and average signing bonus $28,307 (full-time MBA page).
- UF’s 2024-25 graduate outcomes article gives an average starting salary of $121,307 and an average bonus of $28,308 for the same group.
UF does not publish a median salary, an industry split or an employer list for the full-time MBA. Its college-wide 2024-25 employer list includes Deloitte, KPMG, EY, PwC, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, McKinsey, Bain, Boston Consulting Group, PepsiCo and ExxonMobil, but those figures cover all Warrington programmes. Nothing on the pages I checked splits outcomes by citizenship.
Common mistakes international applicants make
- Planning around the January or May rounds, when UF lists 15 October for international applicants.
- Choosing a one-year format and losing the summer internship.
- Asking a former professor for a recommendation.
- Not naming a country or region in the career essay, which the prompt requires of international students.
- Counting words instead of characters.
- Assuming STEM OPT without written confirmation.
Who should apply to Florida Warrington, and who shouldn’t
Apply if you want a ranked MBA at a low public-university price, have about four years of experience and a GMAT near 615 or higher, and can apply early in the cycle.
Think twice if you need confirmed STEM OPT, need a scholarship decision before committing, or cannot meet the October deadline for international applicants.
Florida Warrington vs peer MBA programmes
| School | U.S. News 2026 | Avg GMAT | Tuition or cost | International | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Warrington | No. 39 (tie) | 615 (typical candidate) | $69,565 out-of-state (period not stated) | Not published | 15 October 2027 (international) |
| UGA Terry | No. 25 | 641 (Class of 2027) | $36,000 a year ($18,000 a semester) | 21% | 10 January 2027 |
| Georgia Tech Scheller | No. 27 | 640 (Class of 2028) | $22,478 a semester nonresident tuition, fall 2026 | 31% | 8 January 2027 |
| Emory Goizueta | No. 23 | Not published | $79,200 a year | 40% | 6 January 2027 |
| BYU Marriott | No. 39 (tie) | 628 GMAT Focus (class of 95) | $63,968 two-year tuition, non-Latter-day Saint | 11% | 19 February 2027 (international final) |
For undergraduate study at the same university, see our University of Florida admission requirements for international students.
FAQ
What is the UF Warrington MBA acceptance rate?
Poets&Quants, using U.S. News data, reports a 13.3% acceptance rate from 226 applications for the fall 2025 intake, down from 28.1% a year earlier.
What GMAT score do I need for the UF MBA?
UF does not set a minimum. Its typical full-time candidate has about a 615 GMAT and a 3.4 GPA, and the GMAT is preferred over the GRE.
What TOEFL score does the University of Florida MBA require?
UF’s graduate minimum is TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5 overall with 4.0 per section on the new scale from spring 2027) or IELTS 6.5.
What is the UF MBA deadline for international students?
UF lists 15 October as the deadline for international applicants. This year’s date passed on 15 October 2026, so the Deadline is 15 October 2027; ask the MBA office whether any 2027 seats remain.
Sources and updates
Formats, deadlines, the typical candidate, outcomes and rankings are from Warrington’s Full-Time MBA page. Tuition, scholarships and loans are from the MBA financial information page. Application steps, the fee, tests, recommendations and the interview are from Warrington’s master’s admissions page, and essay questions from the UF MBA supplemental questions page. English minimums, exemptions and I-20 request dates are from UF’s graduate catalog admission page. Salary and bonus comparisons are also from Warrington’s 2024-2025 graduate outcomes article. Applications, acceptance rate and yield are from Poets&Quants’ August 2026 article on acceptance rates, yield and applications at the top 100 U.S. MBA programmes, which uses data schools reported to U.S. News for the fall 2025 intake. The ranking is from U.S. News 2026 Best Business Schools (full-time MBA), released on 7 April 2026, as tabulated by Poets&Quants. Checked on 29 October 2026.
I am Jude Chinecherem, a final-year MBBS student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I know what it feels like to want an education your family cannot afford. When my parents could not pay for my schooling, I had to learn how to find scholarships and work the system out on my own, with nobody to guide me. I came out the other side, and now I share everything I learned so the next student does not have to figure it out alone. This is the advice I wish someone had given me back then.
