Central Florida vs Southern California - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Southern California: 9.8% against 44.7% (Central Florida).
The share of international students differs sharply: 13.2% (Southern California) against 3.3% (Central Florida).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Southern California awards international students $25,384 on average, Central Florida awards $928.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Southern California starts at $89,087 against $42,038 and ends at $17,918 against $30,224 (Central Florida).
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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
Southern California is the more selective of the two (9.81% vs 44.71% acceptance). Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#401-500 vs #62). Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $58K). Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $68,687 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: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Southern California for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Southern California is more selective (9.81% vs 44.71% acceptance); Southern California has a higher median SAT (1495 vs 1260).
Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $58K); Southern California has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.8% vs 78%).
Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $68,687); Southern California offers a larger average aid package ($71,169 vs $11,814).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Central Florida | Southern California |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #401-500 | #62 |
| Rank · THE | - | #72 |
| Acceptance rate | 44.71% | 9.81% |
| Yield rate | 33.5% | 43.3% |
| Median SAT | 1260 | 1495 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.16 | 3.80 |
| Number of applications | 55,135 | 82,027 |
| International students | 3.3% | 13.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $58K | $92K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $86K | $141K |
| Graduation rate | 78% | 91.8% |
| Retention rate | 92.3% | 95.6% |
| Median debt | $18,190 | $18,000 |
| Tuition · year | $24,076 | $68,687 |
| Avg. aid package | $11,814 | $71,169 |
| % of need met | 65% | 99.3% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $20,529 | $27,678 |
| Application fee | $30 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 69,338 | 46,566 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Central Florida or Southern California?
It's harder to get into Southern California. Central Florida accepts 44.71% of applicants, while Southern California accepts 9.81%.
Do Central Florida or Southern California graduates earn more?
Southern California graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $92K vs $58K.
How much is tuition at Central Florida vs Southern California?
Sticker-price tuition is $24,076 per year at Central Florida and $68,687 per year at Southern California.
What SAT score do you need for Central Florida or Southern California?
The median admitted SAT score is 1260 at Central Florida and 1495 at Southern California; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Central Florida or Southern California?
Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #401-500 for Central Florida vs #62 for Southern California.
Which university offers more financial aid - Central Florida or Southern California?
The average aid package is $11,814 at Central Florida and $71,169 at Southern California.
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