U of A vs. UCF

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ with University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Florida is larger than U of A based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 56,365 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); University of Central Florida is in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; University of Central Florida 28:1.

U of A vs. UCF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A or UCF? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Central Florida than U of A ($13,351 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 25.6% lower than at University of Arizona ($12,452 vs. $16,746).
• University of Arizona is 118.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $7,558 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.2% higher at U of A than at University of Central Florida (about $19,811 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at University of Central Florida (95% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 42% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($13,776 vs. $9,704).

U of A vs. UCF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A or UCF? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UCF and U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arizona (1290) is 10 points higher than at UCF (1280).
• Incoming UCF students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; University of Central Florida 1200/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; University of Central Florida 25/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; UCF - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCF students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 33.5% at UCF.

U of A vs. UCF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A and UCF? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Central Florida's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of Arizona's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Arizona earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $730 lower median loan debt than U of A graduates ($18,270 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of A graduates ($188 vs. $196).
• More U of A graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.