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University of Central Florida

UCF

Orlando, Florida 32816

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusSuburbanSports culture

Known for business — major research university

University of Central Florida is a public institution in Orlando with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1277, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 59.1K undergraduates with a 29:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

75% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $58,308 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $10,650.

Established
1963
Motto
"Reach for the Stars"
Mascot
KnightroPegasus and the Golden KnightCitronaut (Legacy)
Type
Public research university
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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40%Acceptance
1277SAT Avg
59,095Students
29:1Student:Faculty
75%Grad Rate
$58,308Earnings 10yr
$10,650Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate39.5%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1277

Reading & WritingMid: 640
610680
MathMid: 620
580670

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 28
2529

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$6,368
Tuition (out-of-state)$22,467
Room & Board$12,070
Books & Supplies$1,000
Total Cost of Attendance$22,819
Average Net Price$10,650
Median Debt at Graduation$18,190
Monthly Payment (10yr)$193

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$6,170
$30–48K$7,610
$48–75K$10,684
$75–110K$15,473
$110K+$17,821

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

76.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$15,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

421

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

98

Burglary

20

Aggravated Assault

13

Robbery

33

Motor Vehicle Theft

47

Sex Offenses

3

Arson

118

Drug Arrests

89

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (223)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

92%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
59,095
Gender Split
54% / 46%
Women / Men
First Generation
35%
Pell Grant Recipients
33%

Race & Ethnicity

White 44%
Black 9%
Hispanic 31%
Asian 8%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate75.1%
Freshman Retention92.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$47,137
10 Years$58,308

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#117
vs 2024
Forbes
#156
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#17
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Knights Plaza

SoccerBasketballVolleyball

History & Fun Facts

  • Shands and Senator Beth Johnson, on June 10, 1963, the legislature passed and Governor Farris Bryant signed into law Senate Bill No.
  • The university was founded as a non-segregated and coeducational university, with the mission of educating students for space-age careers in engineering and other technological professions.
  • In December 1965, the board of regents appointed Charles Millican the first president of the new university.
  • Millican and then-Governor Claude Kirk presided over FTU's groundbreaking in March 1967.
  • On October 7, 1968, the inaugural classes were held in the school's first academic building.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

103Above Average

Estimated from FL state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Orlandopop. 310K
12 mi(21 min)
Tampapop. 390K
89 mi(154 min)
Miamipop. 440K
206 mi(357 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MCO Orlando13 mi
TPA Tampa92 mi
JAX Jacksonville134 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1107 mi · ~31h 59m drive
New York, NY930 mi · ~26h 52m drive
Hartford, CT1028 mi · ~29h 42m drive
Providence, RI1066 mi · ~30h 48m drive
Albany, NY1056 mi · ~30h 30m drive
Syracuse, NY1037 mi · ~29h 57m drive
Rochester, NY1025 mi · ~29h 37m drive
Buffalo, NY995 mi · ~28h 45m drive
Philadelphia, PA856 mi · ~24h 44m drive
Pittsburgh, PA821 mi · ~23h 43m drive
Harrisburg, PA843 mi · ~24h 21m drive
Newark, NJ928 mi · ~26h 49m drive
Washington, DC751 mi · ~21h 42m drive
Baltimore, MD784 mi · ~22h 39m drive
Atlanta, GA402 mi · ~11h 37m drive
Charlotte, NC458 mi · ~13h 14m drive
Raleigh, NC518 mi · ~14h 58m drive
Miami, FL206 mi · ~5h 57m drive
Orlando, FL12 mi · ~21 min drive
Tampa, FL89 mi · ~2h 34m drive
Nashville, TN615 mi · ~17h 46m drive
New Orleans, LA543 mi · ~15h 41m drive
Richmond, VA655 mi · ~18h 55m drive
Chicago, IL986 mi · ~28h 29m drive
Detroit, MI954 mi · ~27h 34m drive
Minneapolis, MN1310 mi · ~37h 51m drive
St. Louis, MO864 mi · ~24h 58m drive
Kansas City, MO1054 mi · ~30h 27m drive
Indianapolis, IN822 mi · ~23h 45m drive
Columbus, OH791 mi · ~22h 51m drive
Cleveland, OH892 mi · ~25h 46m drive
Milwaukee, WI1065 mi · ~30h 46m drive
Dallas, TX969 mi · ~28h drive
Houston, TX858 mi · ~24h 47m drive
Austin, TX1001 mi · ~28h 55m drive
San Antonio, TX1045 mi · ~30h 11m drive
Los Angeles, CA2206 mi · ~63h 44m drive
San Francisco, CA2445 mi · ~70h 38m drive
San Diego, CA2146 mi · ~62h drive
Seattle, WA2551 mi · ~73h 42m drive
Portland, OR2531 mi · ~73h 7m drive
Denver, CO1555 mi · ~44h 55m drive
Phoenix, AZ1851 mi · ~53h 28m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1922 mi · ~55h 31m drive
Honolulu, HI4749 mi · ~137h 12m drive
Deep South / Subtropical (warm winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

University of Central Florida Application Checklist

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