UCF vs. PSC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL with Polk State College in Winter Haven, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Florida is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 10,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); Polk State College is in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; Polk State College 19:1.

UCF vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or PSC? 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 Polk State College than UCF ($10,011 vs. $13,351).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 2.1% lower than at University of Central Florida ($12,186 vs. $12,452).
• University of Central Florida is 136.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $3,674 more per year; $6,368.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.9% higher at UCF than at Polk State College (about $12,650 more per year; $22,467.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Florida than at Polk State College (86% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Florida students is 193.6% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($9,704 vs. $3,305).

UCF vs. PSC Admissions comparison

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

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; PSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027.

UCF vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and PSC? 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).

• Graduates from University of Central Florida earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $8,770 lower median loan debt than UCF graduates ($9,500 vs. $18,270).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCF graduates ($98 vs. $188).
• More UCF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 40%)

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.