Orlando, FL · Private University
Is University of Central Florida Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$58,308
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$6,368
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$22,467
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$89,868
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.60x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
75.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,190
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$10,650
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Central Florida graduates earn $13,308 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Central Florida ranked by graduate earnings
130 graduates
107 graduates
426 graduates
101 graduates
546 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Central Florida
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Central Florida, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $88,625) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $25,943) is $62,682/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $88,625 | 3.9x |
| Computer Engineering | $82,542 | 3.7x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $82,542 | 3.7x |
| Industrial Engineering | $78,467 | 3.5x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $78,429 | 3.5x |
| Civil Engineering | $74,900 | 3.3x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $74,173 | 3.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,602 | 3.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $68,209 | 3.0x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $66,928 | 3.0x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $65,911 | 2.9x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions(1yr data) | $62,453 | 2.8x |
| Statistics(1yr data) | $58,920 | 2.6x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering(1yr data) | $56,443 | 2.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,831 | 2.5x |
| Physics(1yr data) | $55,826 | 2.5x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $54,536 | 2.4x |
| Marketing | $52,337 | 2.3x |
| Mathematics(1yr data) | $51,315 | 2.3x |
| International/Global Studies | $51,256 | 2.3x |
| Public Administration | $48,198 | 2.1x |
| Special Education and Teaching(1yr data) | $48,147 | 2.1x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $47,867 | 2.1x |
| Economics(1yr data) | $47,743 | 2.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $47,044 | 2.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $46,447 | 2.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,627 | 2.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $45,156 | 2.0x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $44,500 | 2.0x |
| Sociology | $44,436 | 2.0x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $44,367 | 2.0x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $44,200 | 2.0x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $43,634 | 1.9x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $42,841 | 1.9x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $41,772 | 1.9x |
| Real Estate(1yr data) | $41,218 | 1.8x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $41,124 | 1.8x |
| Journalism(1yr data) | $40,945 | 1.8x |
| Social Work | $40,284 | 1.8x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $40,123 | 1.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $39,134 | 1.7x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,915 | 1.7x |
| History | $38,679 | 1.7x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $38,627 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $37,946 | 1.7x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $37,580 | 1.7x |
| Biology, General | $37,529 | 1.7x |
| Architecture(1yr data) | $37,389 | 1.7x |
| Biotechnology(1yr data) | $36,992 | 1.6x |
| Philosophy(1yr data) | $35,179 | 1.6x |
| Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)(1yr data) | $34,408 | 1.5x |
| Social Sciences, General(1yr data) | $34,209 | 1.5x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $33,700 | 1.5x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $33,144 | 1.5x |
| Music | $31,200 | 1.4x |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management(1yr data) | $29,025 | 1.3x |
| Anthropology | $27,017 | 1.2x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(1yr data) | $26,282 | 1.2x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $25,943 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Florida | 2.60x | $58,308 | Strong ROI |
| University of South Florida | 3.33x | $57,743 | Strong ROI |
| Auburn University | 1.93x | $65,337 | Good ROI |
| Florida International University | 3.18x | $60,249 | Strong ROI |
| Florida State University | 3.28x | $61,675 | Strong ROI |
| University of Georgia | 2.27x | $68,726 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Central Florida stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $58,308 10 years after starting — $13,308 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.9 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.