Explore alternatives based on outcomes, location, cost, and admission difficulty
Given UCF's 39.5% acceptance rate, many qualified applicants will need alternative options. Building a balanced college list with schools offering easier admission, geographic variety, or better value ensures multiple pathways to similar career outcomes.
These schools offer higher acceptance rates while delivering comparable career outcomes.
For comparable outcomes with better admission prospects, consider Florida Southern College (59.1% acceptance, $55,294 median earnings) located 60 miles away, or Stetson University (86.4% acceptance, $51,642 earnings) just 31 miles from UCF. Samford University in Alabama admits 82.2% of applicants while producing graduates earning $58,469, nearly matching UCF's outcomes with significantly more accessible admission.
Strong options in the same region with comparable academic profiles.
Students preferring to remain in Florida should consider University of South Florida (41% acceptance, $57,743 earnings) just 83 miles away, offering nearly identical outcomes with similar selectivity. The University of Tampa (40.9% acceptance, $59,436 earnings) provides comparable results 89 miles from Orlando, while Rollins College (40.6% acceptance, $58,295 earnings) offers similar outcomes just 9 miles from UCF's campus.
Elite universities with similar prestige and academic caliber