At $10,650/yr net price, University of Central Florida graduates earn $58,308/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,308/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,650 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $42,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,308/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,308/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 75.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,190 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,170/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,610/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,684/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,473/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,821/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $120,252 | $24,014 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $91,363 | $27,242 |
| Statistics. | Master | $78,971 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $76,041 | $40,236 |
| Education, General. | Doctoral | $75,204 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $67,420 | $84,816 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,817 | $22,511 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,749 | $18,750 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,516 | $20,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $61,020 | $17,950 |
The Risk Factor
75.1% of students at University of Central Florida graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 25% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
UCF gives you a strong financial return for a public school, mostly because it keeps costs low. At $10,650 a year in net price and $18,190 in median debt, you leave with a manageable loan balance and median earnings near $58,000 a decade out. The 92% retention rate and 75% graduation rate mean you're likely to finish, which is the single biggest factor in whether a degree pays off at all.
The clearest payoff is engineering. Electrical and computer engineering both clear $63,000, and computer engineering does it while holding debt to $18,750 , roughly the school median. Mechanical, aerospace, and civil engineering all land between $58,000 and $61,500. Orlando's aerospace and defense employers give these degrees a real regional market, so the earnings aren't a fluke. Aerospace carries the heaviest debt on this list at $24,750, so it earns less per dollar borrowed than computer engineering.
No non-engineering bachelor's programs appear in the top earners here, so treat the $58,000 median as a blend that engineering pulls upward. If you enroll in a lower-paying field, expect to land below that figure, and borrow accordingly.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30,000 in family income, you pay $6,170 a year. Over $110,000, you pay $17,821 , nearly three times as much. The jump from the $48-75k tier ($10,684) to the $75-110k tier ($15,473) is steep, so middle-income families feel the cost most.
UCF fits you well if you want engineering or a technical field and plan to stay in central Florida. If you're a high-income family paying near the top tier for a lower-earning major, the math is tighter, and you should weigh cheaper in-state options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Central Florida worth the money?
UCF offers solid value with a low net price of $10,650 annually and graduates earning $58,308 after 10 years. The debt load is manageable at $18,190 median, making it a reasonable investment for most students.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Central Florida?
Engineering programs lead with $120,252 average earnings, followed by nursing at $91,363. Business and education majors earn around $75,000-76,000, which is decent but not exceptional for those fields.
How much debt do University of Central Florida graduates have?
UCF graduates carry a median debt of $18,190, which is below the national average. Combined with the school's low cost, this creates a manageable debt-to-income ratio for most programs.
Does University of Central Florida have good financial aid?
The $10,650 net price suggests UCF provides substantial financial aid to bring costs down from the full sticker price. This makes the school accessible to middle and lower-income students.