UCF vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than Iowa based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 30,779 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCF vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or Iowa? 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 Iowa ($13,351 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 3.6% lower than at University of Iowa ($12,452 vs. $12,920).
• University of Iowa is 77.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $4,915 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.5% higher at Iowa than at University of Central Florida (about $10,904 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Florida than at University of Iowa (86% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Iowa students is 1.7% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($9,865 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 50 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming UCF students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at UCF (3.64).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

UCF vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and Iowa? 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 Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than University of Central Florida's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $3,346 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($18,270 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($188 vs. $223).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.