UCF vs. Florida Southern

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCF vs. Florida Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or Florida Southern? 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 Florida Southern ($13,351 vs. $29,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 13.3% lower than at Florida Southern College ($12,452 vs. $14,360).
• Florida Southern College is 591.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $37,672 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96% higher at Florida Southern than at University of Central Florida (about $21,573 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College than at University of Central Florida (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 223.5% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($31,394 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. Florida Southern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 40 points higher than at Florida Southern (1240).
• Incoming UCF students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at Florida Southern (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; Florida Southern College 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; Florida Southern College 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; Florida Southern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; Florida Southern May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida Southern students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at UCF (3.64).
• Florida Southern has a higher acceptance rate (64.4%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 11% at Florida Southern.

UCF vs. Florida Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and Florida Southern? 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 Florida Southern College's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Central Florida earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $5,730 lower median loan debt than Florida Southern graduates ($18,270 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida Southern graduates ($188 vs. $248).
• More Florida Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.