UCF vs. Miami

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than Miami based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 19,852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); University of Miami is in Coral Gables, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Miami is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; University of Miami 11:1.

UCF vs. Miami Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or Miami? 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 Miami ($13,351 vs. $45,397).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 47.7% lower than at University of Miami ($12,452 vs. $23,790).
• University of Miami is 883.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $56,248 more per year; $62,616.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 178.7% higher at Miami than at University of Central Florida (about $40,149 more per year; $62,616.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Florida than at University of Miami (86% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Miami students is 322.4% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($40,992 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. Miami Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Miami (1400) is 120 points higher than at UCF (1280).
• Incoming Miami 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 Miami 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; University of Miami 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; Miami - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; Miami Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Miami 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 Miami (18.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 24.3% at Miami.

UCF vs. Miami Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and Miami? 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 Miami's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than University of Central Florida's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Miami earn a median of about $21,300 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $1,576 lower median loan debt than Miami graduates ($18,270 vs. $19,846).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Miami graduates ($188 vs. $205).
• More Miami graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.