UCF vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than USF Main Campus based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 49,622 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); University of South Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

UCF vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or USF Main Campus? 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 South Florida than UCF ($11,579 vs. $13,351).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 13.8% lower than at University of South Florida ($12,452 vs. $14,440).
• University of South Florida is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $42 more per year; $6,410.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at UCF than at University of South Florida (about $5,143 more per year; $22,467.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Florida than at University of South Florida (86% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida students is 9.8% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($10,652 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCF or USF Main Campus? 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 USF Main Campus and UCF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 50 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1230).
• Incoming UCF students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at USF Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; University of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; University of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCF students have the same average high school GPA (3.64) as students at USF Main Campus (3.64).
• USF Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (43.2%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 23.3% at USF Main Campus.

UCF vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and USF Main Campus? 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 South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from University of Central Florida earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $877 lower median loan debt than USF Main Campus graduates ($18,270 vs. $19,147).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF Main Campus graduates ($188 vs. $197).
• More UCF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus 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.