UCF vs. UC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than UC based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 45,026 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

UCF vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or UC? 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 UC ($13,351 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 8.2% lower than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($12,452 vs. $13,564).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 119.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $7,608 more per year; $13,976.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.5% higher at UC than at University of Central Florida (about $6,843 more per year; $29,310.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Florida than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (86% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Florida students is 18.4% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($9,704 vs. $8,196).

UCF vs. UC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 10 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming UCF students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at UCF (3.64).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 22.5% at UC.

UCF vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and UC? 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 Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Central Florida earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $4,730 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($18,270 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($188 vs. $237).
• More UCF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 57%)

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.