University of Central Florida (UCF) vs CSU-FC

Envision yourself as a student, embarking on a journey of higher education. As you navigate the vast landscape of universities, two prominent institutions emerge: the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Colorado State University-Fort Collins (CSU). While both offer exceptional academic opportunities, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. UCF, located in the vibrant city of Orlando, Florida, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. In contrast, CSU, nestled in the picturesque foothills of the Rocky Mountains, is renowned for its strong focus on research and its beautiful campus. With acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates varying between the two, this side-by-side comparison will help you discern the nuances that set them apart, guiding you toward the institution that best aligns with your aspirations and goals.

	Colorado State University-Fort Collins	University of Central Florida
Overview
Location	Fort Collins, Colorado	Orlando, Florida
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	86.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	89.6%	36.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30
SAT range	1080 - 1290	1170 - 1350
ACT range	23 - 29	25 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	38.0%	73.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%	27.0%
Total number of applicants	31,586	48,929
Total number of admissions given out	28,314	17,797
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,197	7,090
Yield rate	18.4%	39.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,174 Out of state: $46,456	In state: $24,036 Out of state: $40,135
Average net price	$18,320	$11,575
Tuition	In state: $9,709 Out of state: $28,991	In state: $4,478 Out of state: $19,810
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,186 Meal plan: $6,830	Room/dormitory: $5,670 Meal plan: $4,360
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	70.0% Average amount $10,034	90.0% Average amount $10,078
Students receiving federal student loan	36.0% Average amount $5,018	20.0% Average amount $5,240
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $19,976	1.0% Average amount $14,272

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	24,954 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%	59,996 Men 45.0% Women 55.0%
Graduate students	7,632 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%	10,314 Men 40.3% Women 59.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	34.3%	8.5%
International students	4.8%	4.5%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	8,300	8,182
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Colorado California Texas Illinois Washington	Florida Georgia New Jersey Pennsylvania New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Agriculture Kinesiology & Leisure Studies	Health Professions Education Engineering Business Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	30:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	69.1%	74.9%
Dropout rate	18.5%	9.8%
Transferred out	10.4%	12.0%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $94,915 Year 3: $106,015 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $82,613 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $95,296 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,379 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $93,827 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,747 Year 2: $80,301 Year 3: $92,215 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $73,256 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $89,957 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,253 Year 2: $73,070 Year 3: $88,889 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,603 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $88,546 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,387 Year 2: $83,546 Year 3: $86,814 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,629 Year 2: $71,778 Year 3: $83,089 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,849 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $80,723	Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $120,252 Year 3: $135,111 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,940 Year 2: $91,363 Year 3: $105,950 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,081 Year 2: $76,041 Year 3: $82,681 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,266 Year 2: $63,817 Year 3: $80,838 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $69,188 Year 2: $67,420 Year 3: $76,084 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,467 Year 2: $61,020 Year 3: $74,706 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,873 Year 2: $56,415 Year 3: $73,491 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,142 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $71,339 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,872 Year 2: $58,092 Year 3: $68,273 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,767 Year 2: $56,867 Year 3: $66,145

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Colorado State University (CSU)?

UCF is a large, public university located in Orlando, Florida, known for its size, diverse student body, and strong programs in hospitality, engineering, and digital media. CSU, also a public university, is situated in Fort Collins, Colorado, and is recognized for its strengths in natural sciences, engineering, and veterinary medicine. UCF offers a more urban environment, while CSU provides a more traditional college town experience near the Rocky Mountains. The climate is also a significant difference, with Florida's warm, humid weather contrasting with Colorado's drier, four-season climate.
Which university is larger, UCF or CSU?

UCF is significantly larger than CSU. UCF boasts a very large student population, making it one of the largest universities in the United States. CSU, while still a large university, has a considerably smaller student body.
How do the academic reputations of UCF and CSU compare?

Both UCF and CSU are respected public universities, but they have different areas of academic strength. UCF is particularly well-regarded for its programs in hospitality management, gaming, and aerospace engineering. CSU is known for its programs in veterinary medicine, environmental science, and engineering. The best choice depends on your specific academic interests.
What is the cost of attendance at UCF versus CSU?

Generally, UCF tends to have a lower cost of attendance, especially for in-state students, compared to CSU. However, the exact cost depends on residency status, chosen program, and lifestyle. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, as well as details on financial aid and scholarships.
What are the campus environments like at UCF and CSU?

UCF's campus is located in a suburban area of Orlando, offering a mix of on-campus housing and off-campus apartments. The surrounding area provides access to numerous entertainment options, including theme parks and cultural attractions. CSU's campus is in Fort Collins, a vibrant college town with a strong sense of community. The campus is close to the Rocky Mountains, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation.
What student life and extracurricular activities are available at each university?

Both UCF and CSU offer a wide range of student life activities. UCF has a very active student body with hundreds of clubs and organizations, Greek life, and a strong focus on athletics. CSU also has a vibrant student life with numerous clubs, organizations, intramural sports, and outdoor adventure programs. CSU's location near the mountains provides unique opportunities for hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities.
How do UCF and CSU compare in terms of research opportunities?

Both UCF and CSU are research universities, offering various research opportunities for students. UCF has strong research programs in areas like optics, photonics, and simulation. CSU is a leader in research related to infectious diseases, environmental science, and renewable energy. Students interested in research should explore the specific research areas and faculty at each university to find the best fit.
What are the career prospects like after graduating from UCF or CSU?

Graduates from both UCF and CSU have good career prospects, although the specific opportunities may vary depending on the field of study. UCF's location in Orlando provides access to jobs in the tourism, hospitality, and technology industries. CSU's location in Colorado offers opportunities in the natural sciences, engineering, and agriculture sectors. Both universities have career services departments to assist students with job searching and career development.
Which university is better for international students, UCF or CSU?

Both UCF and CSU welcome international students and offer support services to help them adjust to life in the United States. UCF's diverse student body may provide a more familiar environment for some international students. CSU's smaller size and strong sense of community may offer a more personalized experience. It's best to research the specific international student services and programs offered by each university to determine which is a better fit.
How do the acceptance rates compare between UCF and CSU?

UCF generally has a slightly higher acceptance rate than CSU, making it somewhat less selective. However, acceptance rates can vary from year to year, and some programs at both universities may be more competitive than others. It's important to check the most recent admissions statistics on the universities' websites.

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