UCF vs. LSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL with Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Florida is larger than LSU based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 41,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); Louisiana State University is in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; Louisiana State University 21:1.

UCF vs. LSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or LSU? 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 LSU ($13,351 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 17.8% lower than at Louisiana State University ($12,452 vs. $15,142).
• Louisiana State University is 87.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $5,586 more per year; $11,954.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.4% higher at LSU than at University of Central Florida (about $6,164 more per year; $28,631.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Louisiana State University than at University of Central Florida (88% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 45.2% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($14,094 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. LSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 20 points higher than at LSU (1260).
• Incoming UCF students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at LSU (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; Louisiana State University 1180/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; Louisiana State University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; LSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at UCF (3.64).
• LSU has a higher acceptance rate (73.3%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 23% at LSU.

UCF vs. LSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and LSU? 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 Louisiana State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $2,630 lower median loan debt than LSU graduates ($18,270 vs. $20,900).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LSU graduates ($188 vs. $216).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.