Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a reputable public research university located in Orlando, Florida. Established in 1963, UCF is now the largest university in the state, with over 70,000 students enrolled in various undergraduate and graduate programs. The university offers more than 230 degree programs across its 13 colleges, providing students with a diverse range of options to pursue their educational goals.
One of the main attractions of UCF is its commitment to innovation and research. The university is classified as a high research activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation and is known for its cutting-edge research contributions in fields such as optics, engineering, computer science, and simulation. UCF also houses several renowned research centers and institutes, including the Florida Solar Energy Center and the Institute for Simulation and Training.
UCF provides a vibrant and dynamic campus life for its students. The university boasts numerous student organizations and clubs catering to a wide range of interests, from academic societies to performing arts groups, sports clubs, and fraternity and sorority life. UCF's athletic teams, known as the Knights, compete at the NCAA Division I level and have won numerous conference championships. The university's location in Orlando also offers students access to a diverse community and a range of cultural, entertainment, and internship opportunities, thanks to the city's numerous tourist attractions and thriving business sector.
Overall, the University of Central Florida offers a well-rounded and stimulating academic experience in a vibrant setting. With its extensive range of degree programs, commitment to research, and lively campus life, UCF provides students with the resources, opportunities, and support to thrive academically and personally.
University of Central Florida is a public university located in Orlando, FL and set in an urban environment. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 43%. The freshman retention rate at University of Central Florida is 92.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 75%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is May 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 1.
Here are some latest data on important things to consider about University of Central Florida.
Quick Facts
59,548
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
43%
Acceptance Rate
29:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
75%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the university's criteria for admission. Discover some vital facts about admission at University of Central Florida.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 23,958 in 2024. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
72.6% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 27.4% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 12.9% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 64.4% between 1,200 and 1,399, 22.2% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 0.7% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 22.7, 66.1 between 24-29, 10.7 in the range between 18-23, and 0.5 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the enrolled students in 2024 was 27 while the average GPA was 4.18. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission, as well as an above-average ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 644 for the admitted students, while the average SAT Math score was 628.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by May 1. If you are applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is July 1.
43%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for University of Central Florida was 92.2%, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 75%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right choice for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the institution enrolled 69,320 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 6.9% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 59,548, 1709 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 5,515.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 21,334 male and 25,223 female full-time students in 2024, which is indicative of the importance this institution places on gender equality. 2,118 full-time graduate men and 2,637 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 4,583 Asian students and 5,433 Afro-American students in 2024. 18,192 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 2,833 as multirace. The school also had 69 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 63 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 537 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at University of Central Florida? Here is what you need to know.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $6,368 for area residents. Tuition fees were $22,467 for students coming from out of state. Tuition costs at University of Central Florida for international students came to $22,467. Full-time students in 2024 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,764.28.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $22,467 | $1,764 | $24,231 |
| In-State | $6,368 | $1,764 | $8,132 |
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important expense. Most students have to spend about $1,200 for books and supplies during their time at University of Central Florida.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2024, room and board cost at University of Central Florida amounted to $10,958 a year. If you only wanted a room on the campus, it cost $5,400 for the 2024 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $8,966.
| Tuition | $ 6,368 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,958 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 18,526 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid available at University of Central Florida.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 3,170 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students totaled $11,421.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
15,568 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 20,824. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $109,172,655, and state $24,103,334. The students of University of Central Florida received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $27,005,152, and external in the amount of $207,550.
$3,290
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
10,278 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2024. 2,632 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $109,172,655 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $4,243,112. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $19,685,843. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $17,053,157 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
29:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2024, this ratio at University of Central Florida was 29:1. That means that there were 29 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 2,304 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 1,175 men and 1,129 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some information about campus life at University of Central Florida.
Its campus is 1,420 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Involvement in student organizations can make your educational experience more dynamic and gratifying.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 618. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 3.3 and female students 5.5. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is Knight-thon Dance Marathon, followed by Multicultural Student Center and Organizations and Fraternity and Sorority Life. Other popular organizations among the students at University of Central Florida are RWC Intramural Sports and Volunteer UCF.
If you are interested in music, you can join the University of Central Florida band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a passion for media and communication? University of Central Florida publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of Central Florida provides a number of services needed for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of University of Central Florida.
All in all, campus life at University of Central Florida is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of Central Florida.
Career Counselling
At University of Central Florida, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career.
Job Placement
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 57,667 USD.
$57,667
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
-
University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL.
-
This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
-
The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for University of Central Florida is 43%.
-
The most recent reported freshman retention rate for University of Central Florida is 92.2%.
Contact Information
University of Central Florida,
4000 Central Florida Boulevard
Orlando, FL
32816
407 823-2000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.