Virginia vs Central Florida - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Virginia admits 16.8% of applicants, while Central Florida admits 44.7%.
If you are applying from outside the US, budget without institutional support where there is none: only Central Florida reports aid for international students ($928 on average), Virginia does not.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Central Florida: $24,076 against $62,923, or $38,847 less a year.
Ten years on, graduates of Virginia earn noticeably more: $87K against $58K.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Virginia is the more selective of the two (16.81% vs 44.71% acceptance). Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #401-500). Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $58K). Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $62,923 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 Virginia for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Central Florida for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Virginia is more selective (16.81% vs 44.71% acceptance); Virginia has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1260).
Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $58K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 78%).
Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $62,923); Virginia offers a larger average aid package ($37,123 vs $11,814).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Virginia | Central Florida |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 16.81% | 44.71% |
| Yield rate | 40% | 33.5% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1260 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 4.16 |
| Number of applications | 58,951 | 55,135 |
| International students | 4.9% | 3.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $87K | $58K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $130K | $86K |
| Graduation rate | 95.6% | 78% |
| Retention rate | 97.9% | 92.3% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $18,190 |
| Tuition · year | $62,923 | $24,076 |
| Avg. aid package | $37,123 | $11,814 |
| % of need met | 100% | 65% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,137 | $20,529 |
| Application fee | $75 | $30 |
| Enrollment | 26,470 | 69,338 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Virginia or Central Florida?
It's harder to get into Virginia. Virginia accepts 16.81% of applicants, while Central Florida accepts 44.71%.
Do Virginia or Central Florida graduates earn more?
Virginia graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $87K vs $58K.
How much is tuition at Virginia vs Central Florida?
Sticker-price tuition is $62,923 per year at Virginia and $24,076 per year at Central Florida.
What SAT score do you need for Virginia or Central Florida?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Virginia and 1260 at Central Florida; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Virginia or Central Florida?
Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Virginia vs #401-500 for Central Florida.
Which university offers more financial aid - Virginia or Central Florida?
The average aid package is $37,123 at Virginia and $11,814 at Central Florida.
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