UCF vs. Florida

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than Florida based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 56,311 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); University of Florida is in Gainesville, FL (Midsize City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; University of Florida 16:1.

UCF vs. Florida Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or Florida? 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 Florida than UCF ($11,936 vs. $13,351).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Florida are 2.7% lower than at University of Central Florida ($12,120 vs. $12,452).
• University of Florida is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $13 more per year; $6,381.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.6% higher at Florida than at University of Central Florida (about $6,192 more per year; $28,659.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Florida than at University of Central Florida (91% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Florida students is 11.8% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($10,846 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. Florida Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Florida (1400) is 120 points higher than at UCF (1280).
• Incoming Florida students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at UCF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; University of Florida 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; University of Florida 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; Florida - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; Florida Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at UCF (3.64).
• UCF has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Florida (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 42.2% at Florida.

UCF vs. Florida Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and Florida? 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 Florida's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than University of Central Florida's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Florida 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 Florida graduates have a $2,455 lower median loan debt than UCF graduates ($15,815 vs. $18,270).
• Among borrowers, Florida graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCF graduates ($163 vs. $188).
• More Florida graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.