Updated August 2026 by Carson Flowers.
The short answer: UWF's Fall 2025 enrolled freshmen posted an SAT band of 970 to 1160 (25th to 75th percentile), with a median of 1060. UWF publishes enrolled-class data rather than an admitted middle 50%, so the band describes who attends, and a 1190 clears Bright Futures while beating three quarters of that class.
| Enrolled SAT (25th / median / 75th) | 970 / 1060 / 1160 (Fall 2025, Common Data Set) |
| Average high school GPA (enrolled) | 3.65 |
| GPA thresholds | 2.70+ weighted required; 3.20+ gets the strongest consideration |
| Acceptance rate | about 54.6% (6,090 admitted of 11,145 applicants, Fall 2025) |
| Test required | Yes. SAT, ACT, or CLT. No test-optional path. |
Data from the University of West Florida's Common Data Set 2025-26 and freshman admission requirements, plus the Florida Department of Education's Bright Futures scholarship award chart. UWF reports enrolled students, not admitted, so we label the band accordingly. Reviewed August 2026. Numbers move every cycle, so confirm current figures with UWF Admissions before relying on any summary, ours included.
UWF in Pensacola is a national cybersecurity standout, recognized as an NSA Center of Academic Excellence, and it anchors the Panhandle for families who want a smaller campus with a serious technical program. It is also one of the more accessible doors into the State University System for a student whose score is still climbing.
A quarter of enrolled freshmen scored below 970 and a quarter above 1160, with the median at 1060. A 1150 sits near the top of the class. Above 1160 your teen beats three quarters of enrolled students, which is merit-conversation territory at UWF.
The Florida Medallion Scholars score of 1190 sits above UWF's enrolled 75th percentile of 1160. One push produces both outcomes: 75% of tuition covered, about $4,786 per year, and a score stronger than three quarters of the class your teen would join. (For students graduating in 2028 or later, the Medallion line rises to 1200; details in our handbook walkthrough.)
UWF admits a little over half of its applicants, and families sometimes conclude the SAT is a formality there. Flip the logic around. Precisely because the enrolled class centers on a 1060 median, a strong score stands out further at UWF than it would at a crowded flagship. A student who trains to 1160 or 1190 walks in ahead of three quarters of the class, carrying scholarship money and a file that gets merit attention. Accessible admission makes the score worth more, since fewer classmates can match it.
No. UWF requires an SAT, ACT, or CLT score from every applicant. The State University System's testing rule reaches all the way to Pensacola. UWF also sets GPA thresholds: a 2.70 weighted GPA is required, and a 3.20 or higher gets the strongest consideration.
UWF's Fall 2025 enrolled freshmen posted 970 at the 25th percentile, 1060 at the median, and 1160 at the 75th. UWF publishes enrolled-class data rather than an admitted middle 50%, so read the band as a picture of who attends, and aim above it to stand out.
Yes. A score above 1160 beats three quarters of the enrolled class, and that is merit-conversation territory at UWF. The accessible admission rate means a high score faces less company, so the same number buys more distinction here than at a flagship. Train past the band and let it pay twice.
Strongly. A 1190 clears the Florida Medallion Scholars threshold and tops UWF's enrolled 75th percentile of 1160 in one motion. The result is 75% of tuition, about $4,786 per year, plus a score stronger than most of the class. Few schools reward the 1190 push this directly.
Our Florida students average a +172 point improvement with the Map, Master, Mock method: diagnose the exact sub-topics costing points, coach them live, and rehearse with full-length mock SATs before test day.
Compare every school at SAT Scores for Florida Colleges, run the Bright Futures Calculator, or book a free Strategy Session.
At Florida public universities, a 1330 SAT (Florida Academic Scholars) pays 100% of tuition and applicable fees, about $6,381 per year. A 1190 (Medallion) pays 75%. Check your teen's eligibility with the free calculator.
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