UCF vs. Michigan State

Should I go to University of Central Florida or Michigan State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UCF or Michigan State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Florida State Michigan USF Main Campus WSU FIU FAU GVSU Michigan Tech Florida IU Penn State CMU
University of Central Florida vs. Michigan State University comparison
University of Central Florida Michigan State University College 3 College 4
University of Central Florida Michigan State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

UCF Michigan State
Location Orlando, FL East Lansing, MI
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 68,346 50,023
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #379 #240
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucf.edu msu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UCF Michigan State
Tuition (In State) $4,478 $15,192
Tuition (Out of State) $19,810 $41,778
Room & Board $11,498 $10,990
Avg Net Price $13,108 $22,803
Avg Grant Aid $9,986 $8,684
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 92%

Admission

UCF Michigan State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 54,977 53,341
Admitted 22,560 46,914
Acceptance Rate 41% 88%
Enrolled % 33.3% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.72
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/29 25/31
SAT Range 1200/1360 1160/1360
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

UCF Michigan State
Student to Faculty Ratio 29:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (25%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Engineering (5%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

UCF Michigan State
Graduation Rate 63% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,270 $25,484
Median Loan Payment $188 $263

Diversity

UCF Michigan State
% Men 45% 47%
% Women 55% 53%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 53% 67%
% Black 11% 7%
% Hispanic 24% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 13%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

UCF Michigan State
% In-State 91% 71%
% Out-of-State 9% 21%

Campus

UCF Michigan State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Florida is larger than than Michigan State based on total student enrollment (68,346 students vs. 50,023 students)

UCF vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or Michigan State?

  • Michigan State University is 239.3% more expensive to attend than UCF for in-state tuition ($15,192.00 vs. $4,478.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 110.9% higher at Michigan State than University of Central Florida ($41,778.00 vs. $19,810.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Central Florida than Michigan State ($13,108 vs. $22,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 4.6% lower than costs at University of Central Florida ($10,990 vs. $11,498)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Florida than Michigan State University (93% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Florida students is 15% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($9,986 vs. $8,684)

UCF vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCF or Michigan State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Michigan State or UCF .

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Florida (1179) is 20 points higher than at Michigan State (1159)
  • Incoming UCF students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at Michigan State (26)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UCF (3.64)
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than UCF (41%)

UCF vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UCF or Michigan State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Michigan State and UCF.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than University of Central Florida (77% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $11,100 more per year than UCF graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $48,900)
  • University of Central Florida students graduate with a $7,214 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan State graduates. ($18,270 vs. $25,484)
  • UCF graduates are paying $75 less per month on federal student loans than Michigan State graduates. ($188 vs. $263)
  • More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/