Central Florida vs Connecticut - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Connecticut awards international students $17,282 on average, Central Florida awards $928.
On paper the cheaper option is Central Florida: $24,076 against $44,004, which is $19,928 less a year.
Ten years on, graduates of Connecticut earn noticeably more: $74K against $58K.
80 points separate the SAT profiles: 1340 (Connecticut) against 1260.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Central Florida is the more selective of the two (44.71% vs 52.39% acceptance). Connecticut ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#401-500 vs #301-400). Connecticut graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($74K vs $58K). Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $44,004 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Central Florida for: higher selectivity, higher retention, lower tuition.
Choose Connecticut for: a higher world ranking, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Central Florida is more selective (44.71% vs 52.39% acceptance); Connecticut has a higher median SAT (1340 vs 1260).
Connecticut graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($74K vs $58K); Connecticut has a higher 6-year graduation rate (83.3% vs 78%).
Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $44,004); Connecticut offers a larger average aid package ($21,535 vs $11,814).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Central Florida | Connecticut |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #401-500 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 44.71% | 52.39% |
| Yield rate | 33.5% | 15.4% |
| Median SAT | 1260 | 1340 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.16 | - |
| Number of applications | 55,135 | 55,479 |
| International students | 3.3% | 7.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $58K | $74K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $50K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $86K | $109K |
| Graduation rate | 78% | 83.3% |
| Retention rate | 92.3% | 92% |
| Median debt | $18,190 | $21,500 |
| Tuition · year | $24,076 | $44,004 |
| Avg. aid package | $11,814 | $21,535 |
| % of need met | 65% | 61.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $20,529 | $28,506 |
| Application fee | $30 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 69,338 | 28,306 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Central Florida or Connecticut?
It's harder to get into Central Florida. Central Florida accepts 44.71% of applicants, while Connecticut accepts 52.39%.
Do Central Florida or Connecticut graduates earn more?
Connecticut graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $74K vs $58K.
How much is tuition at Central Florida vs Connecticut?
Sticker-price tuition is $24,076 per year at Central Florida and $44,004 per year at Connecticut.
What SAT score do you need for Central Florida or Connecticut?
The median admitted SAT score is 1260 at Central Florida and 1340 at Connecticut; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Central Florida or Connecticut?
Connecticut ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #401-500 for Central Florida vs #301-400 for Connecticut.
Which university offers more financial aid - Central Florida or Connecticut?
The average aid package is $11,814 at Central Florida and $21,535 at Connecticut.
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