The University of Florida (UF), Gainesville, Florida, is a large public research university with about 57,000 students. UF is well known for Engineering, Business, Health Sciences, Law, and Agriculture programs. Admissions are somewhat selective with an acceptance rate of about 24%. UF's six-year graduation rate is about 88%, and graduates receive average starting salaries of USD $55,000–62,000 (INR 46–52 lakhs) per annum.
The University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando, Florida, is the largest public university in the U.S. with approximately 73,000 students. UCF focuses on career-focused education, especially in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Hospitality, and Health Sciences. Admissions are relatively less selective, with an acceptance rate of around 43%. Graduation rates of UCF are around 74%, and average starting salaries for graduates are around USD $50,000–56,000 (INR 42–47 lakhs) per annum.
| University of Florida | University of Central Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.6 Out of 10 | 4.2 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 134 Times Higher Education 2026 # 212 QS World University 2026 # 86 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 401 Times Higher Education 2026 # 701 QS World University 2026 # 401 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 43 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 145 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 38 for Law by US News 2025 | # 74 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 501 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 76 for Law by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021 |
| Programs | UG Programs -111 PG Programs -84 Doctorate Programs -8 | UG Programs -70 PG Programs -75 Doctorate Programs -43 |
| Acceptance Rate | 24.0 % | 43.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6.5 TOEFL-80 | IELTS-6.5 SAT-1150 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 28658 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 30134 [For PG Program] | Average Tuition Fees 22478 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 35820 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 24498 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | #81 for Graduate Employability Rank (2023) Average Salaries Are Listed Below:
| Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: MBA: $105,000 Bachelor of Science: $67,000 Bachelor of Arts; $60,000 |
| application requirements | Supplement statement for both UG and PG programs. International students are required to apply through university online portal and not common application portal. | Submit official transcripts Submit English language proficiency scores Check program specific requirements |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.9/10 Read 17 reviews | 7.6/10 Read 21 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 38 for Business by US News 2025 # 101 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 102 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 201 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 251 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | GMAT - 680/800GRE - 308/340IELTS - 7.5/9TOEFL - 90/120 | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 80/120 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Oct 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2027 Intake) | Jul 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake) Nov 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Summer 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Florida | University of Central Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1853 | 1963 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 16:1:1 | 30:1 |
| Male:Female | 46% Male, 0% Female | 69% Male, 31% Female |
| Location Facts | Largest single-campus university in the nation. The only university in USA with 6 different healthcare colleges. The campus is bounded by Archer Road and University Avenue. You can visit local and state parks in Gainesville. | The University of Central Florida main campus is located along Alafaya Trail east of Orlando, Florida. In addition to its Orlando campus, the University of Central Florida has several other campuses to service the Central Florida region. In Orlando, there is one other campus, located at Valencia West, as well as partnerships with local colleges. Outside Orlando, there are campuses in Cocoa, Clermont, Daytona Beach, Kissimmee, Leesburg, Ocala, Palm Bay, and Sanford. The 50-acre UCF Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona includes the UCF College of Medicine and the Burnett Biomedical Sciences Building. University also has a 15-acre (6-hectare) campus in downtown Orlando in collaboration with Valencia College. |
| Library | 4,577,222 volumes, 8,099,054 microforms; 629,979 ebooks; 78,797 e-journals; 356 electronic databases. | The University of Central Florida's Libraries is a university library system that is administered by the University of Central Florida, a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States. The system, which stretches across Central Florida, includes eleven libraries of the university and provides primary support to all academic programs. UCF Libraries collections include over 2 million print volumes, 3 million microforms, 300,000 government documents, 10,000 full text electronic journal subscriptions, 600,000 e-books, 40,000 media titles, a base of 17,000 serial subscriptions, in addition to special collections and university archives materials |
| Campus Life | Campus has Florida Museum of Natural History, | UCF has over 400 registered student organizations, intramural sports, and an active Student Government Association. The university encourages student activism through organizations such as the Office of Student Involvement, the Multicultural Student Center, the Campus Activities Board, Volunteer UCF and Learning and Interacting with New Knights, an organization that fosters freshman involvement. UCF's main campus also boasts two Recreation and Wellness Centers. The main center is located on the south side of campus, adjacent to the Academic Village. The second gym is located in Knights Plaza on the north side of campus. The Centers are open to all students. Many different recreational organizations and facilities are available on the UCF campus. Lake Claire is an on-campus lake with canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats available for rent (free to UCF students), and a small beachfront. In addition, UCF's Challenge Course is one of only five in the country to contain a high elements course. The university currently houses 11,000 beds on-campus in eight different housing communities. |
| Hostel | - | #Off campus (with family) - $4970 #On campus - $9764 #Off campus (not with family) - $9764 |
| Famous Alumni | Half a million students had graduated from University of Florida. Eight Former US ambassador, 6 astronauts, and 10 former lorida governors. Notable alumni are Michael Connelly (author), Maurkice Puncey (football center), Faye Dunaway (actress), Marco Rubio (senator of Florida), Kevin Ford (Astronaut), Katie Miller (American Government Appointee). | Cody Allen: Former MLB pitcher for the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Angels Chasen Bradford : MLB pitcher free agent Drew Butera: MLB catcher for the Los Angeles Angels Jim Atchison: President and chief executive officer, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Dan Benjamin: Software developer and founder, 5by5 Studios Ross Brown: Senior Vice President, Worldwide Partners and Alliances, VMware Anthony Connelly: Senior vice president and chief financial officer, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts |
| City Life | Gainesville is the largest city in Alachua County; It has a regional transit system, a municipal airport, and a championship golf course; Education, healthcare, retail and hospitality are the largest employing sectors; Unemployment rate was 3.0% in January 2020; Major tourist attractions are Butterfly Rainforest, Florida Museum of Natural History, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Sweetwater Wetlands Park, etc. | There's downtown Orlando, the seat of Orange County government and a center for nightclubs, restaurants, concerts and post-game celebrations. There's residential Orlando, which developed during the 1920s' "City Beautiful" movement to feature canopied oaks and lakefront bungalows. And then there's the Orlando that tourists know: the Orlando that's home to some of the world's top theme parks and that welcomes millions of travelers each year, making it one of the most popular vacation destinations in America. The cost of housing in Orlando is close to the national median sale price, although like with many markets, home prices have soared here in recent years. Part of the appeal of living in Orlando is that Florida has no state income tax. |
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University of Florida vs University of Central Florida
Topic Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)
The University of Florida (UF) tends to rank higher internationally than the University of Central Florida (UCF). UF ranks approximately 212 internationally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with strengths in Engineering, Business, Life Sciences, Medicine, and Law. UCF ranks approximately 701-750 internationally, with recognized strengths in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Hospitality, and Optics & Photonics, representative of its focus on applied research and innovation.
General Information
UF, established in 1853 in Gainesville, Florida, is a comprehensive public research university with ~57,000 students, providing numerous undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. UCF, established in 1963 in Orlando, Florida, has ~74,000 students, one of the largest universities in the U.S. by enrollment, with emphases in technology, innovation, and workforce-focused programs.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
UF has a moderately selective admissions policy (24%), while UCF is less selective (43%), although specialties like Engineering, Computer Science, and Nursing are highly competitive, indicative of the university's increasing reputation in the STEM disciplines.
Research Impact & Facilities
UF is a Carnegie R1 research institution, featuring high-impact research in STEM, medicine, agriculture, and business facilitated by robust facilities and industry and government partnerships. UCF is also active in research, especially in optics, digital media, aerospace, hospitality, and engineering, with close connections to Orlando's tech and tourism industries.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both are public institutions. Tuition is relatively inexpensive for in-state (~$6,700–$7,000 at UF and ~$6,400–$6,800 at UCF), with higher tuition for out-of-state (~$28,000–$30,000). Both provide merit aid, need-based awards, and program awards, with UF's endowment slightly higher for research and graduate support.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UF graduates are highly successful in business, medicine, law, engineering, and research, with strong connections across the country and around the world. UCF graduates shine in technology, engineering, business, hospitality, and digital media, enjoying the university's close proximity to Orlando's industries and focus on applied learning.
