University of Central Florida vs University of South Florida

University of Central Florida and University of South Florida are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: University of Central Florida is more selective with a 39.5% acceptance rate compared to University of South Florida's 41.0%. Average SAT scores are 1277 and 1235 respectively.

Cost: University of South Florida offers a lower average net price at $10,043, which is $607 less than University of Central Florida ($10,650). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of Central Florida earn a median salary of $58,308 ten years after enrollment, which is $565 more than University of South Florida graduates ($57,743).

Graduation: University of Central Florida leads with a 75.4% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 92.2% vs 91.4%.

Campus Size: University of Central Florida is the larger campus with 59,095 total students, while University of South Florida has 36,299.

Bottom Line: University of South Florida wins on affordability while University of Central Florida leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.