About
Should You Attend the University of Central Florida?
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is located in Orlando, 13 miles from the downtown area. This public research university offers associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs in nearly 300 areas of study. UCF is the largest school in Florida and the second-largest public university in the country. Weigh the facts below to find out if UCF is the school for you.
<h4 id="section---Pros">Pros</h4>
<ul><li>Ranked among the best universities in the southeast
</li><li>Cost of tuition and living expenses is $2,313 lower than the national average for in-state students
</li><li>High number of academic programs
</li><li>Student debt following graduation is $5,976 lower than the national average
</li><li>Accepts AP credit, dual credit and credit for life
</li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons">Cons</h4>
<ul><li>Acceptance rate is 17.8 percentage points lower than the national average
</li><li>Graduation rate is 6 percentage points lower than the national average
</li><li>Student-to-faculty ratio is 32:1, which is higher than the national average
</li></ul><h3 id="section---RankingsSchoolAnalysis">Rankings & School Analysis</h3>
<p>With a 2011 enrollment of 49,972 undergraduates and 8,493 graduate students, the University of Central Florida is one of the largest schools in the U.S. In 2013, UCF was named a 'Best Value' and 'Best Southeastern' school by The Princeton Review. <i>U.S. News & World Report</i> ranked the university #5 among up-and-coming schools and placed several of its graduate programs in the top 25, including student counseling and personnel services at #11, atomic/molecular/optical physics at #13, and nonprofit management at #25. As a UCF student, you'll be able to choose from 280 academic programs, including 92 undergraduate majors, 85 master's degree programs and 30 doctoral fields.
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<p>The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that 46% of applicants were accepted to the university in the 2012-2013 academic year, well below the national average of 63.8%. The school's four-year graduation rate was 34%, just below the national average of 40%. However, 63% of students graduated within six years. Due to the large student body, the student-to-faculty ratio is 32:1, twice the national average.
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<p>According to the NCES, the total cost of attendance for the 2012-2013 academic year was $15,547 for Florida residents, lower than the national average of $17,860. Non-residents paid $31,645 that same year, somewhat above the $30,911 national average for out-of-state students. <i>U.S. News & World Report</i> reported that students graduated with roughly $20,624 in debt in 2011, lower than the national average of $26,600 for the same year. Approximately 7.5% of attendees defaulted on their student loans within three years of graduation, per the NCES.
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<h2 id="section---GettingInFinancialAidAtUCF">Getting In & Financial Aid at UCF</h2>
<p>The NCES reported that 40% of accepted students chose to attend UCF. You'll need to submit the school's application, your high school transcript and standardized test scores. Although it's optional, students are strongly encouraged to complete an essay. The College Board reports that test scores are due at the university by May 1. In 2012, 64% of applicants submitted SAT scores, while 36% sent in the ACT. The middle 50% of accepted students that year scored between 24 and 28 on the composite ACT and had a combined SAT score of 1600 to 1890, per the NCES.
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<p>If you need help paying for school, you can apply by March 1 to receive priority consideration for financial aid. As an undergraduate, you may be eligible for need- or merit-based scholarships that take into account academic achievement, alumni affiliation, state residency, minority status and/or extracurricular activities and accomplishments. The College Board indicates that 85% of undergraduate students were offered some type of financial aid, and 17% had their full need met. If you're entering a graduate program, you may be able to apply for research and teaching assistantships or fellowships.
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<table border="1"><tr><th> Application and Tuition Info </th><th /></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Regular Application Deadline (2013)</i> </td><td> May 1***</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Financial Aid Application Deadline (2013)</i> </td><td> June 30***</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Notification of Acceptance (2013)</i> </td><td> Rolling, beginning October 1***</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Application Fee (2013)</i> </td><td> $30***</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Acceptance Rate (2012-2013)</i> </td><td> 46%*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>All Tuition & Living Expenses (2011-2012)</i> </td><td> $15,547 for in-state and $31,645 for out-of-state students*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Average Financial Aid Grant or Scholarship Award (2011)</i> </td><td> $5,847**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Percent of Students with Need Met (2011)</i> </td><td> 17%***</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Average Student Debt at Graduation (2011)</i> </td><td> $20,624****</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i> </td><td> 7.5%*</td></tr>
</table><h2 id="section---LifeAtUCF">Life at UCF</h2>
<p>According to 2011 figures from the NCES, 54% of students at UCF were female, 91% were Florida residents and 3% came from foreign countries. You'll be among a diverse student body, with the largest racial/ethnic group being white at 61%, followed by Hispanic/Latino students at 19%, African-Americans at 10% and Asians at 6%. You can live with fellow students in one of several residence halls, apartment complexes and academic/social interest communities. Students with families can also take advantage of on-campus day care facilities.
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<p>If you want to get involved, UCF offers more than 400 student organizations, many Greek chapters and more than 20 intramural athletic teams. Students can access 5 libraries, including ones for health sciences, education and hospitality management. If you're interested in research, the university has a solar energy center, a space education and research center, a forensic science center, an observatory and other research facilities at the nationally ranked Central Florida Research Park.
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<table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life Info </th><th /></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Campus Setting</i> </td><td> Large suburb*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Student Population (2011)</i> </td><td> 49,972 undergraduates, 8,493 graduate students*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2011)</i> </td><td> 46% to 54%*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>% of Full Time Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 75%*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>% of In-state Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 91%*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Retention Rate (2010-2011)</i> </td><td> 87% for full-time and 70% for part-time students*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> Yes*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>% of Students Living on Campus</i> </td><td> 17% of undergraduates***</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Number of Libraries</i> </td><td> 5**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Extracurricular Activities</i> </td><td> Over 400 student organizations**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Noteworthy</i> </td><td> Second largest public university in the U.S.**</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *NCES College Navigator, **University of Central Florida, ***The College Board, ****U.S. News & World Report.</i>
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<h3 id="section---SchoolContactInformation"> School Contact Information</h3>
<ul><li><i>Address:</i> Office of Admissions, PO Box 160111, Orlando, FL 32816
</li><li><i>Phone:</i> (407) 823-3000</li></ul>
