UCF vs. Florida State

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than Florida State based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 43,889 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); Florida State University is in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; Florida State University 17:1.

UCF vs. Florida State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or Florida State? 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 State ($13,351 vs. $15,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 7.6% lower than at Florida State University ($12,452 vs. $13,474).
• University of Central Florida is 12.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $712 more per year; $6,368.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.6% higher at UCF than at Florida State University (about $3,681 more per year; $22,467.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at University of Central Florida (91% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Florida students is 4.6% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($9,704 vs. $9,279).

UCF vs. Florida State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 60 points higher than at UCF (1280).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at UCF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; Florida State University 1270/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; Florida State University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; Florida State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida State students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UCF (3.64).
• UCF has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 30.9% at Florida State.

UCF vs. Florida State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and Florida State? 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).

• Florida State University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of Central Florida's (63%).
• Graduates from Florida State University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $2,480 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($18,270 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($188 vs. $214).
• More Florida State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.