UCF vs. Palm Beach Atlantic

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL with Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Florida is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); Palm Beach Atlantic University is in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1.

UCF vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or Palm Beach Atlantic? 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 Palm Beach Atlantic ($13,351 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 9.8% lower than at Palm Beach Atlantic University ($12,452 vs. $13,800).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 538.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $34,282 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.9% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at University of Central Florida (about $18,183 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at University of Central Florida (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 131.8% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($22,493 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCF or Palm Beach Atlantic? 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 Palm Beach Atlantic and UCF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 190 points higher than at Palm Beach Atlantic (1090).
• Incoming UCF students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at Palm Beach Atlantic).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCF students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Palm Beach Atlantic (3.36).
• Palm Beach Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 9.9% at Palm Beach Atlantic.

UCF vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and Palm Beach Atlantic? 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 Palm Beach Atlantic University's (58%).
• Graduates from University of Central Florida earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $4,434 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($18,270 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($188 vs. $234).
• More UCF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palm Beach Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 56%)

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.