University of Central Florida combines exceptional educational access with strong economic mobility outcomes. As a Mobility Engine institution, UCF produces $5,290 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels below peer institutions, creating sustainable pathways for economic advancement across diverse student populations including 33.4% Pell-eligible and 35.3% first-generation students.
With above-average tier designation, supported by solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With strong tier performance, driven by controlled net prices and moderate debt levels relative to peer institutions
With exceptional tier performance, reflecting the university's ability to convert educational access into earnings growth for diverse student populations
With exceptional tier performance, reflecting the university's ability to convert educational access into earnings growth for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisUCF delivers strong return on investment through the combination of above-average earnings and controlled borrowing costs. Graduates earn a median of $58,308 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 67th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $38,654 at the 25th percentile to $85,651 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across disciplines and the institution's comprehensive program portfolio. The institution generates $5,290 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 74.7th percentile nationally on this measure.
Students seeking strong economic mobility outcomes at a large public research university with high accessibility. Particularly well-suited for first-generation students, Pell-eligible students, and transfer students who want selective-level academics without elite admission barriers.
The combination of diverse program offerings, manageable debt levels, and above-average earnings creates pathways for upward economic advancement.
University of Central Florida admits approximately 39.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 5 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places UCF in the selective admission category, with standards that are competitive but not as restrictive as elite national universities.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights UCF's position as significantly more selective than typical four-year institutions, accepting 38.6 percentage points fewer applicants than peer schools. This level of selectivity means that admitted students generally need strong academic credentials, though UCF's admission rate provides more realistic chances than highly selective institutions.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Central Florida's published cost of attendance reaches $22,819 annually, including $6,368 in-state tuition, $12,070 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face $22,467 tuition, bringing total costs significantly higher.
However, the average student pays just $10,650 after financial aid, representing savings of $12,169 through need-based and merit aid programs. This net price falls $4,940 below the peer median of $15,590, indicating UCF provides stronger value relative to similar institutions.
The substantial gap between sticker price and average net cost demonstrates UCF's commitment to affordability through financial aid, though costs vary significantly based on family income levels. Students from lower-income families benefit most from aid programs, while higher-income families approach closer to full cost of attendance.
The combination of moderate sticker prices and substantial financial aid creates accessibility for students across economic backgrounds, supporting UCF's role as a Mobility Engine institution that converts access into outcomes.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
135 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
461 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
108 graduates
Industrial Engineering.
145 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
519 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida Southern College Higher acceptance rate (19.6 percentage points higher) and located 60 miles away; similar graduate earnings | FL | 59% | $55,294 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
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This is the University Of Central Florida hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-central-florida/analysis.
Mobility Engine: exceptional access with strong earnings
University of Central Florida ranks #19 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with mobility performance at the 99.2nd percentile. Located in Orlando, Florida, this large public university maintains selective admission standards with a 39.5% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes for diverse student populations.
UCF enrolls 33.4% Pell-eligible students and 35.3% first-generation students, placing it well above typical selectivity peers on access measures. The institution also serves 51.7% transfer students, reflecting its role as an educational pathway for non-traditional learners.
Graduates earn $5,290 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 74.7th percentile nationally. Median earnings reach $58,308 ten years after enrollment, placing UCF in the 67th percentile for long-term earnings while maintaining debt levels below peer institutions.
This combination of selective admissions, exceptional access, and strong economic outcomes places UCF firmly within the Mobility Engine quadrant, where institutions convert educational opportunity into sustained economic advancement.
For prospective students, UCF represents a middle ground between open-access institutions and elite universities, requiring solid academic preparation while remaining attainable for well-prepared applicants. Students should approach UCF as a match or slight reach school depending on their academic profile, and building a college list that includes schools with higher acceptance rates provides important backup options.
The combination of selectivity with strong post-graduation outcomes makes UCF attractive to students seeking quality education with reasonable admission prospects.
UCF graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with outcomes supported by large cohort sizes that provide high confidence in reported figures. Median earnings rise from $47,137 six years after enrollment to $52,921 at eight years and $58,308 at ten years, representing 23.7% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 15,484 graduates, indicating results across a broad range of academic programs rather than isolated high-earning tracks. Graduates earn $5,290 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UCF in the 74.7th percentile for earnings uplift.
This value-added performance reflects the institution's effectiveness in translating educational access into economic outcomes. Low-income graduates earn $49,800, demonstrating mobility potential for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Earnings span from $38,654 at the 25th percentile to $85,651 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 23.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
UCF offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Mechanical Engineering ranks #34 nationally and #1 in Florida, producing 461 graduates with median earnings of $82,542 and a strong value score of 85.2.
Artificial Intelligence ranks #44 nationally and #3 in Florida, graduating 519 students with median earnings of $78,429. Adult Health Nursing ranks #74 nationally and #2 in Florida, with 904 graduates earning $68,602.
Business Commerce General ranks #14 nationally and #1 in Florida, graduating 527 students with median earnings of $54,536. Psychology General serves as UCF's largest program with 1,216 graduates annually, while the Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program ranks #2 nationally with 879 graduates earning $42,841.
These programs reflect UCF's strength across technical fields, health professions, and traditional liberal arts disciplines, supporting diverse career pathways for graduates.
Stetson University Higher acceptance rate (46.9 percentage points higher) and located 31 miles away; similar graduate earnings | FL | 86% | $51,642 | Compare |
Samford University Higher acceptance rate (42.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | AL | 82% | $58,469 | Compare |
Nova Southeastern University Higher acceptance rate (33.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | FL | 73% | $59,209 | Compare |
University Of South Florida Same state (83 miles away) with nearly identical earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | FL | 41% | $57,743 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Jose State University Similar quality tier (#18 ranked) | CA | 80% | $78,988 | #18 | Compare |
California State University-Sacramento Similar quality tier (#17 ranked) | CA | 94% | $64,876 | #17 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Arlington Similar quality tier (#20 ranked) | TX | 81% | $63,199 | #20 | Compare |
Texas A & M University-College Station Similar quality tier (#22 ranked) | TX | 63% | $72,097 | #22 | Compare |
University Of California-Riverside Similar quality tier (#23 ranked) | CA | 63% | $67,699 | #23 | Compare |
