UCF vs. UH

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than UH based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 47,980 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); University of Houston is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; University of Houston 22:1.

UCF vs. UH Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or UH? 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 UH ($13,351 vs. $14,309).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 9.4% lower than at University of Central Florida ($11,286 vs. $12,452).
• University of Houston is 52.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $3,349 more per year; $9,717.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at UH than at University of Central Florida (about $80 more per year; $22,547.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Florida than at University of Houston (86% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston students is 25.3% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($12,159 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. UH Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 30 points higher than at UH (1250).
• Incoming UCF students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UH).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; University of Houston 1160/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; University of Houston 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; UH - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; UH May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCF students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UH (3.46).
• UH has a higher acceptance rate (73.9%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 26.5% at UH.

UCF vs. UH Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and UH? 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 University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $1,480 lower median loan debt than UH graduates ($18,270 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UH graduates ($188 vs. $204).
• More UH graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.