UCF vs. FAU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than FAU based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 31,607 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); Florida Atlantic University is in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; Florida Atlantic University 24:1.

UCF vs. FAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or FAU? 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 Florida Atlantic University than UCF ($10,225 vs. $13,351).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 21.5% lower than at Florida Atlantic University ($12,452 vs. $15,860).
• University of Central Florida is 30.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than FAU (about $1,489 more per year; $6,368.00 vs. $4,879.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at UCF than at Florida Atlantic University (about $5,143 more per year; $22,467.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Florida as at Florida Atlantic University (86% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 11.9% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($10,857 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. FAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCF or FAU? 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 FAU and UCF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 160 points higher than at FAU (1120).
• Incoming UCF students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at FAU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; Florida Atlantic University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; Florida Atlantic University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; FAU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; FAU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FAU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at UCF (3.64).
• FAU has a higher acceptance rate (66.1%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 20.3% at FAU.

UCF vs. FAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and FAU? 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 Florida Atlantic University's (43%).
• Graduates from University of Central Florida earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than FAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Atlantic University graduates have a $1,409 lower median loan debt than UCF graduates ($16,861 vs. $18,270).
• Among borrowers, FAU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCF graduates ($174 vs. $188).
• More UCF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FAU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 54%)

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.