University of Central Florida vs The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
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 6-point ROI advantage over The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, scoring 79/100 versus 73/100. 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 $18,976 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville - a difference of $8,565 annually, or roughly $34,260 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates earn a median of $60,249 compared to $58,308 at University of Central Florida. The payback period is 7.8 years at University of Central Florida versus 8.6 years at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Graduates leave University of Central Florida with a median $18,190 in debt versus $20,500 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.46 and 0.49 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Central Flo... | The University of Tenness... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $6,368 | $13,812 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $22,467 | $33,256 |
| Net Price (avg) | $10,411 | $18,976 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $41,644 | $75,904 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $39,900 | $41,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $58,308 | $60,249 |
| Graduation Rate | 78.0% | 73.9% |
| Payback Period | 7.8 yr | 8.6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,190 | $20,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $193 | $217 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.46 | 0.49 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 67.1% | 76.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 67.0% | 73.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 40.1% | 41.6% |
| Enrollment | 59,146 | 30,418 |
| SAT Range | 1200-1350 | 1200-1370 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Centra... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $5,816 | $10,029 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,174 | $12,162 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,128 | $18,206 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $14,902 | $23,627 |
| $110,001+ | $17,681 | $25,688 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Centra... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering | $91,630 | $107,093 |
| Computer Engineering | $106,680 | $105,834 |
| Electrical Engineering | $99,442 | $93,642 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $96,972 | $89,015 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $89,663 | $90,623 |
| Accounting | $79,563 | $89,445 |
| Civil Engineering | $86,803 | $80,958 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $82,007 | $83,793 |
| Registered Nursing | $83,737 | $77,118 |
| Statistics | $76,372 | $83,697 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $69,111 | $82,074 |
| Business Information Systems | $74,103 | $80,415 |
| Chemistry | $57,313 | $79,736 |
| Economics | $76,360 | $67,902 |
| Marketing | $72,440 | $70,661 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Centra... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 92 | 73 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 77 | 71 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 81 | 75 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 88 | 84 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 32 | 59 |
| Overall ROI Score | 79 | 73 |
The Verdict
University of Central Florida has a meaningfully higher ROI score (79 vs 73). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if The University of Tennessee-Knoxville offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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University of Central Florida
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Fair 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.