UCF vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 30,380 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); Iowa State University is in Ames, IA (Small City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; Iowa State University 18:1.

UCF vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or ISU? 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 ISU ($13,351 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 13.2% lower than at University of Central Florida ($10,808 vs. $12,452).
• Iowa State University is 69.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $4,419 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.5% higher at ISU than at University of Central Florida (about $6,414 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Florida than at Iowa State University (86% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 11.2% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($10,791 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. ISU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 40 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming UCF students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; Iowa State University 1120/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; Iowa State University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; ISU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UCF (3.64).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 28.8% at ISU.

UCF vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and ISU? 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).

• Iowa State University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Central Florida's (63%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $5,598 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($18,270 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($188 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.