University of South Florida vs University of Central Florida
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 South Florida and University of Central Florida are closely matched on financial return. University of South Florida scores 78/100 while University of Central Florida scores 79/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of South Florida comes in at $9,812 per year (net price after aid) versus $10,411 at University of Central Florida - a difference of $599 annually, or roughly $2,396 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Central Florida graduates earn a median of $58,308 compared to $57,743 at University of South Florida. The payback period is 7.9 years at University of South Florida versus 7.8 years at University of Central Florida.
Graduates leave University of South Florida with a median $17,988 in debt versus $18,190 at University of Central Florida. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.46 and 0.46 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of South Flori... | University of Central Flo... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $6,410 | $6,368 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $17,324 | $22,467 |
| Net Price (avg) | $9,812 | $10,411 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $39,248 | $41,644 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $39,400 | $39,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $57,743 | $58,308 |
| Graduation Rate | 76.8% | 78.0% |
| Payback Period | 7.9 yr | 7.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,988 | $18,190 |
| Monthly Payment | $191 | $193 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.46 | 0.46 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 65.5% | 67.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 63.7% | 67.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 43.2% | 40.1% |
| Enrollment | 37,207 | 59,146 |
| SAT Range | 1130-1320 | 1200-1350 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of South ... | University of Centra... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $4,122 | $5,816 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $5,444 | $7,174 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,326 | $10,128 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,224 | $14,902 |
| $110,001+ | $18,497 | $17,681 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of South ... | University of Centra... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $109,054 | $106,680 |
| Electrical Engineering | $102,275 | $99,442 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $90,953 | $98,526 |
| Industrial Engineering | $90,040 | $91,630 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $88,249 | $89,663 |
| Civil Engineering | $84,789 | $86,803 |
| Registered Nursing | $84,694 | $83,737 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $73,933 | $82,007 |
| Accounting | $78,918 | $79,563 |
| Statistics | $74,071 | $76,372 |
| Economics | $67,007 | $76,360 |
| Marketing | $65,269 | $72,440 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $60,600 | $69,111 |
| Mathematics | $59,125 | $69,005 |
| Physics | $68,967 | $55,826 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of South ... | University of Centra... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 92 | 92 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 76 | 77 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 80 | 81 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 87 | 88 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 28 | 32 |
| Overall ROI Score | 78 | 79 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Central Florida edges out University of South Florida by 1 points (79 vs 78), 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 South Florida
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Central Florida
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.