University of Central Florida vs Florida Atlantic 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 4-point ROI advantage over Florida Atlantic University, scoring 79/100 versus 75/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Florida Atlantic University comes in at $8,752 per year (net price after aid) versus $10,411 at University of Central Florida - a difference of $1,659 annually, or roughly $6,636 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Central Florida graduates earn a median of $58,308 compared to $56,746 at Florida Atlantic University. The payback period is 7.8 years at University of Central Florida versus 8 years at Florida Atlantic University.
Graduates leave Florida Atlantic University with a median $17,236 in debt versus $18,190 at University of Central Florida. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.46 and 0.44 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Central Flo... | Florida Atlantic Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $6,368 | $4,879 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $22,467 | $17,324 |
| Net Price (avg) | $10,411 | $8,752 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $41,644 | $35,008 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $39,900 | $38,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $58,308 | $56,746 |
| Graduation Rate | 78.0% | 62.6% |
| Payback Period | 7.8 yr | 8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,190 | $17,236 |
| Monthly Payment | $193 | $183 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.46 | 0.44 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 67.1% | 63.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 67.0% | 61.7% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 40.1% | 66.1% |
| Enrollment | 59,146 | 23,757 |
| SAT Range | 1200-1350 | 1040-1200 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Centra... | Florida Atlantic Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $5,816 | $3,022 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,174 | $4,135 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,128 | $8,106 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $14,902 | $14,440 |
| $110,001+ | $17,681 | $16,854 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Centra... | Florida Atlantic Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $106,680 | $90,664 |
| Electrical Engineering | $99,442 | $93,561 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $98,526 | $89,476 |
| Registered Nursing | $83,737 | $91,953 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $89,663 | $89,583 |
| Civil Engineering | $86,803 | $84,778 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $82,007 | $70,078 |
| Accounting | $79,563 | $77,465 |
| Economics | $76,360 | $74,056 |
| Marketing | $72,440 | $62,906 |
| Mathematics | $69,005 | $71,453 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $69,111 | $62,058 |
| Architecture | $64,826 | $64,730 |
| International Relations | $64,056 | $53,872 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $59,649 | $37,374 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Centra... | Florida Atlantic Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 92 | 94 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 77 | 75 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 81 | 82 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 88 | 64 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 32 | 24 |
| Overall ROI Score | 79 | 75 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Central Florida edges out Florida Atlantic University by 4 points (79 vs 75), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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University of Central Florida
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Florida Atlantic University
Strong 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.