University of West Florida (UWF)

The University of West Florida has a main campus in Pensacola and satellite campuses dotting the Gulf Coast (and "amazing online classes"). Students at UWF call this "affordable" mid-sized school "the best kept secret in Florida." Perks include a "state of the art" engineering building and a fairly unique undergraduate program in marine biology. "Class sizes are big enough to get the college feel but small enough for the professors to know you individually." "Professors tend to know everyone by name, and students become well acquainted with one another," explains an electrical engineering major. "There is a great deal of research going on" but the faculty's first priority is teaching. Professors "are always willing to make time for their students." Most are also "very good teachers, and they know what they are talking about." They're "knowledgeable" and adept at "taking the material beyond the text into real-world application." The faculty is far from uniformly perfect, though. There are also professors who are "hard to follow," "fairly apathetic," or "just rude."

UWF is a largely commuter campus and "parking is a nightmare." Once you find a spot, though, "there is no combination of buildings that is not walkable." There's also a trolley system. For students who choose to live in the dorms, the rooms are "spacious" and life is pretty vibrant. "The scenery is breathtaking," too. UWF is situated "on a beautiful nature preserve." "Recreational facilities are very nice." There's "a bundle of events to get students interacting with each other." Fraternities and sororities have a presence, but "the Greek community isn't as active as they would like to seem." Parties "can always be found if that's your thing." It's nothing crazy, though. "There is not a great deal of wild partying here," reports a senior. "It's relatively quiet." Some students tell us that "there is not much school spirit." According to others, "there is plenty of school spirit," and, in fact, students are "fiercely loyal to UWF." Whatever the case, "if it is football games and massive partying you seek, you may have to go to Tallahassee or Gainesville." Off campus, Pensacola is "a beach town with a laid-back mentality." Nightlife is "okay" but Florida's Panhandle is "full of retirees and military bases." It's "not so heavy on college life." On the other hand, Pensacola is "a great town for the adventure seekers." "The weather is amazing nearly year round." There are "many wonderful trails to hike and run on" and "fishing, scuba diving, and outdoor experiences" are world-class.

The University of West Florida has a main campus in Pensacola and satellite campuses dotting the Gulf Coast (and "amazing online classes"). Students at UWF call this "affordable" mid-sized school "the best kept secret in Florida." Perks include a "state of the art" engineering building and a fairly unique undergraduate program in marine biology. "Class sizes are big enough to get the college feel but small enough for the professors to know you individually." "Professors tend to know everyone by name, and students become well acquainted with one another," explains an electrical engineering major. "There is a great deal of research going on" but the faculty's first priority is teaching. Professors "are always willing to make time for their students." Most are also "very good teachers, and they know what they are talking about." They're "knowledgeable" and adept at "taking the material beyond the text into real-world application." The faculty is far from uniformly perfect, though. There are also professors who are "hard to follow," "fairly apathetic," or "just rude."