UCF vs. UT

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than UT based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 11,433 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); The University of Tampa is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tampa is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; The University of Tampa 17:1.

UCF vs. UT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or UT? 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 UT ($13,351 vs. $35,679).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 14.8% lower than at The University of Tampa ($12,452 vs. $14,612).
• The University of Tampa is 440.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $28,040 more per year; $34,408.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.1% higher at UT than at University of Central Florida (about $11,941 more per year; $34,408.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tampa than at University of Central Florida (90% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tampa students is 64.3% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($15,945 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. UT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 120 points higher than at UT (1160).
• Incoming UCF students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at UT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; The University of Tampa 1070/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; The University of Tampa 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; UT - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCF students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UT (3.5).
• UT has a higher acceptance rate (40.3%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 16.6% at UT.

UCF vs. UT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and UT? 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 The University of Tampa's (57%).
• Graduates from The University of Tampa earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $7,287 lower median loan debt than UT graduates ($18,270 vs. $25,557).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UT graduates ($188 vs. $264).
• More UT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.