UCF vs. USF Main Campus

Should I go to University of Central Florida or University of South Florida Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UCF or USF Main Campus is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Central Florida vs. University of South Florida Main Campus comparison
University of Central Florida University of South Florida Main Campus College 3 College 4
University of Central Florida University of South Florida Main Campus
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Overview

UCF USF Main Campus
Location Orlando, FL Tampa, FL
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 69,233 48,572
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #387 #413
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucf.edu usf.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UCF USF Main Campus
Tuition (In State) $4,478 $4,559
Tuition (Out of State) $19,810 $15,473
Room & Board $12,070 $13,595
Avg Net Price $13,110 $11,578
Avg Grant Aid $9,585 $10,012
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 81%

Admission

UCF USF Main Campus
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 60,627 65,187
Admitted 23,961 26,699
Acceptance Rate 39.5% 41%
Enrolled % 34.2% 21.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.64
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 25/29 24/29
SAT Range 1190/1350 1140/1330
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline May 1, 2026 May 1, 2026

Academics

UCF USF Main Campus
Student to Faculty Ratio 29:1 22:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (25%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Engineering (5%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

UCF USF Main Campus
Graduation Rate 63% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $46,500
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,270 $19,147
Median Loan Payment $188 $197

Diversity

UCF USF Main Campus
% Men 6% 9%
% Women 8% 14%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 53% 51%
% Black 11% 11%
% Hispanic 24% 21%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

UCF USF Main Campus
% In-State 92% 80%
% Out-of-State 8% 13%

Campus

UCF USF Main Campus
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Florida is larger than than USF Main Campus based on total student enrollment (69,233 students vs. 48,572 students)

UCF vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or USF Main Campus?

  • University of South Florida Main Campus is 1.8% more expensive to attend than UCF for in-state tuition ($4,559.00 vs. $4,478.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28% higher at UCF than University of South Florida Main Campus ($19,810.00 vs. $15,473.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Florida Main Campus than UCF ($11,578 vs. $13,110)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 12.6% lower than costs at University of South Florida Main Campus ($12,070 vs. $13,595)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Florida than University of South Florida Main Campus (85% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida Main Campus students is 4.5% larger than aid received University of Central Florida ($10,012 vs. $9,585)

UCF vs. USF Main Campus Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCF or USF Main Campus? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between USF Main Campus or UCF .

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Florida (1179) is 2 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1177)
  • Incoming UCF students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at USF Main Campus (26)
  • Accepted freshman UCF students have at the same average high school GPA (3.64) as students at USF Main Campus (3.64)
  • USF Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (41%) than UCF (39.5%)

UCF vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UCF or USF Main Campus? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between USF Main Campus and UCF.

  • The graduation rate at UCF is higher than University of South Florida Main Campus (63% vs. 52%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Florida earn on average $2,400 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $46,500)
  • University of Central Florida students graduate with a $877 lower median federal student loan debt than USF Main Campus graduates. ($18,270 vs. $19,147)
  • UCF graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than USF Main Campus graduates. ($188 vs. $197)
  • More UCF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/