UCF vs. Florida Tech

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than Florida Tech based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 8,992 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); Florida Institute of Technology is in Melbourne, FL (Small City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; Florida Institute of Technology 13:1.

UCF vs. Florida Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or Florida Tech? 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 Florida Tech ($13,351 vs. $37,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 18.3% lower than at Florida Institute of Technology ($12,452 vs. $15,240).
• Florida Institute of Technology is 620.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $39,532 more per year; $45,900.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.3% higher at Florida Tech than at University of Central Florida (about $23,433 more per year; $45,900.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Institute of Technology than at University of Central Florida (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Institute of Technology students is 159.9% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($25,218 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. Florida Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 60 points higher than at Florida Tech (1220).
• Incoming UCF students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Florida Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; Florida Institute of Technology 1120/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; Florida Institute of Technology 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; Florida Tech - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida Tech students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UCF (3.64).
• Florida Tech has a higher acceptance rate (57.7%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 9.4% at Florida Tech.

UCF vs. Florida Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and Florida Tech? 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 Institute of Technology's (56%).
• Graduates from Florida Institute of Technology earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,600 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $8,910 lower median loan debt than Florida Tech graduates ($18,270 vs. $27,180).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida Tech graduates ($188 vs. $281).
• More UCF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida Tech students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 36%)

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.