UCF vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL with Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Florida is larger than Michigan State based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 52,089 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

UCF vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or Michigan State? 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 Michigan State ($13,351 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 0.9% lower than at Michigan State University ($12,452 vs. $12,564).
• Michigan State University is 158.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $10,090 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.1% higher at Michigan State than at University of Central Florida (about $21,375 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan State University than at University of Central Florida (88% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan State University students is 0.5% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($9,750 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 10 points higher than at Michigan State (1270).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at UCF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027.
• 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 (84.8%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

UCF vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and Michigan State? 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).

• Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of Central Florida's (63%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $7,214 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($18,270 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.