UCF vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than UofSC based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 38,532 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

UCF vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or UofSC? 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 UofSC ($13,351 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 8% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($12,452 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 99.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $6,320 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.1% higher at UofSC than at University of Central Florida (about $13,505 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at University of Central Florida (91% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Florida students is 35.9% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($9,704 vs. $7,139).

UCF vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 10 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at UCF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at UCF (3.64).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

UCF vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and UofSC? 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 South Carolina Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Central Florida's (63%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $4,980 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($18,270 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($188 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.