University of Central Florida vs Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Central Florida holds a 51-point ROI advantage over Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, scoring 79/100 versus 28/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Central Florida comes in at $10,411 per year (net price after aid) versus $13,739 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University - a difference of $3,328 annually, or roughly $13,312 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Central Florida graduates earn a median of $58,308 compared to $44,349 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The payback period is 7.8 years at University of Central Florida versus 20.9 years at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
Graduates leave University of Central Florida with a median $18,190 in debt versus $23,548 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.46 and 0.74 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Central Flo... | Florida Agricultural and ... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $6,368 | $5,785 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $22,467 | $17,725 |
| Net Price (avg) | $10,411 | $13,739 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $41,644 | $54,956 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $39,900 | $31,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $58,308 | $44,349 |
| Graduation Rate | 78.0% | 53.3% |
| Payback Period | 7.8 yr | 20.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,190 | $23,548 |
| Monthly Payment | $193 | $250 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.46 | 0.74 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 67.1% | 49.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 67.0% | 40.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 40.1% | 20.6% |
| Enrollment | 59,146 | 7,582 |
| SAT Range | 1200-1350 | 1030-1180 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Centra... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $5,816 | $13,299 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,174 | $10,921 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,128 | $15,269 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $14,902 | $18,325 |
| $110,001+ | $17,681 | $20,332 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Centra... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $98,526 | $83,041 |
| Accounting | $79,563 | $85,522 |
| Registered Nursing | $83,737 | $73,658 |
| Architecture | $64,826 | $69,874 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $69,111 | $53,902 |
| International Relations | $64,056 | $48,733 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $62,140 | $41,861 |
| Journalism | $60,887 | $50,832 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $56,148 | $46,081 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $56,075 | $44,477 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $52,447 | $44,891 |
| Sociology | $52,197 | $31,167 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $51,959 | $47,139 |
| Teacher Education | $51,784 | $50,736 |
| Biology | $51,313 | $45,173 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Centra... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 92 | 33 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 77 | 25 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 81 | 22 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 88 | 46 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 32 | 8 |
| Overall ROI Score | 79 | 28 |
The Verdict
University of Central Florida significantly outperforms Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University on financial ROI (79 vs 28). The 51-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of Central Florida.
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University of Central Florida
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.