University of Central Florida (UCF) vs CUNY Graduate Center

When it comes to higher education, University of Central Florida (UCF) and CUNY Graduate School and University Center (CUNY GC) stand out as two prominent institutions with distinct characteristics. UCF, located in Orlando, Florida, boasts a sprawling campus and a diverse student body, while CUNY GC, situated in New York City, offers a vibrant urban setting and a focus on graduate-level education. With acceptance rates of 53% and 48%, respectively, both universities maintain competitive admissions standards. UCF excels in fields like engineering, business, and hospitality, while CUNY GC specializes in social sciences, humanities, and education. While UCF's student body comprises 69% undergraduates and 31% postgraduates, CUNY GC exclusively caters to graduate students. UCF boasts a higher graduation rate of 68% compared to CUNY GC's 60%. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve deeper into these differences and discover which university

	CUNY Graduate School and University Center	University of Central Florida
Overview
Location	New York, New York	Orlando, Florida
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate		92.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	36.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30
SAT range	N/A	1170 - 1350
ACT range	N/A	25 - 30
Students submitting SAT score		73.0%
Students submitting ACT score		27.0%
Total number of applicants		48,929
Total number of admissions given out		17,797
Admitted students who chose to enroll		7,090
Yield rate		39.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)		N/A
High school GPA	N/A	Required
Recommendation letters	N/A	Not required
High school transcript	N/A	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $31,725 Out of state: $39,675	In state: $24,036 Out of state: $40,135
Average net price		$11,575
Tuition	In state: $6,930 Out of state: $14,880	In state: $4,478 Out of state: $19,810
Room & board		Room/dormitory: $5,670 Meal plan: $4,360
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)		90.0% Average amount $10,078
Students receiving federal student loan		20.0% Average amount $5,240
Students taking out private loans		1.0% Average amount $14,272

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,748 Men 25.7% Women 74.3%	59,996 Men 45.0% Women 55.0%
Graduate students	6,269 Men 36.6% Women 63.4%	10,314 Men 40.3% Women 59.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	8.5%
International students	10.8%	4.5%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	111	8,182
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Florida Georgia New Jersey Pennsylvania New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Psychology Social Sciences Computer and Information Science	Health Professions Education Engineering Business Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	30:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	N/A	74.9%
Dropout rate	N/A	9.8%
Transferred out	N/A	12.0%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $96,611 Year 2: $99,517 Year 3: $116,628 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $94,707 Year 2: $88,786 Year 3: $98,066 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $71,335 Year 2: $70,176 Year 3: $88,597 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,948 Year 2: $80,964 Year 3: $88,072 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $80,432 Research and Experimental Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $65,889 Year 3: $77,449 Anthropology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $44,942 Year 3: $74,472 Sociology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $65,441 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,843 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $59,803 Journalism (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $41,716 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $56,736	Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $120,252 Year 3: $135,111 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,940 Year 2: $91,363 Year 3: $105,950 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,081 Year 2: $76,041 Year 3: $82,681 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,266 Year 2: $63,817 Year 3: $80,838 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $69,188 Year 2: $67,420 Year 3: $76,084 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,467 Year 2: $61,020 Year 3: $74,706 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,873 Year 2: $56,415 Year 3: $73,491 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,142 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $71,339 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,872 Year 2: $58,092 Year 3: $68,273 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,767 Year 2: $56,867 Year 3: $66,145

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Central Florida (UCF) and the CUNY Graduate School and University Center (CUNY Graduate Center)?

UCF is a large, public research university offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, known for its size, diverse student body, and strong programs in areas like engineering, hospitality, and gaming. The CUNY Graduate Center, on the other hand, is a primarily doctoral-level institution focused on graduate education and research across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. UCF offers a more comprehensive university experience, while the CUNY Graduate Center is highly specialized for advanced scholarly work.
Which school is better for undergraduate studies?

UCF is the clear choice for undergraduate studies. The CUNY Graduate Center primarily focuses on doctoral programs and does not offer undergraduate degrees.
Which school is better for graduate studies?

It depends on your field of study and career goals. The CUNY Graduate Center excels in doctoral programs within the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, offering a focused research environment. UCF offers a broader range of graduate programs, including professional degrees, and may be a better fit if you're seeking a master's degree or a program more directly tied to industry.
How do the locations of UCF and the CUNY Graduate Center differ, and how might that impact my experience?

UCF is located in Orlando, Florida, offering a suburban campus environment with access to the city's entertainment and tourism industries. The CUNY Graduate Center is situated in midtown Manhattan, New York City, providing unparalleled access to cultural institutions, research libraries, and professional networks. Your choice depends on whether you prefer a campus-centered experience in a warmer climate or an urban environment with extensive cultural and professional opportunities.
What is the cost of attendance at UCF versus the CUNY Graduate Center?

Generally, UCF will have lower tuition costs, especially for in-state Florida residents. The CUNY Graduate Center, as a public institution in New York City, offers relatively affordable tuition compared to private universities, but it's typically higher than UCF's in-state rates. However, the overall cost of living in New York City is significantly higher than in Orlando, which should be factored into your decision.
What are the research opportunities like at each institution?

Both institutions offer research opportunities, but they differ in focus. UCF is a large research university with a broad range of research activities across various disciplines, including engineering, optics, and space sciences. The CUNY Graduate Center is primarily a research institution, with a strong emphasis on doctoral-level research in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. The CUNY Graduate Center's research is often more theoretically focused, while UCF's research can be more applied.
How do the student bodies compare in terms of size and diversity?

UCF has a much larger and more diverse student body than the CUNY Graduate Center. UCF is one of the largest universities in the United States, attracting students from all over the world. The CUNY Graduate Center has a smaller, more focused student body consisting primarily of doctoral students. While the CUNY Graduate Center is also diverse, its smaller size means less overall diversity compared to UCF.
What kind of campus life can I expect at UCF versus the CUNY Graduate Center?

UCF offers a traditional campus life experience with a wide range of student organizations, sports teams, and on-campus activities. The CUNY Graduate Center, being primarily a graduate institution in a major city, has a less traditional campus life. Student life at the CUNY Graduate Center is often centered around academic departments and research groups, with access to the vast cultural and social opportunities of New York City.
Which school is known for specific academic programs?

UCF is known for its programs in engineering, computer science, hospitality management, gaming, and optics. The CUNY Graduate Center is highly regarded for its doctoral programs in the humanities (e.g., English, History, Philosophy), social sciences (e.g., Sociology, Political Science, Psychology), and sciences (e.g., Biology, Physics, Mathematics).
How does the career support differ between UCF and the CUNY Graduate Center?

UCF offers comprehensive career services for both undergraduate and graduate students, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs, catering to a wide range of industries. The CUNY Graduate Center provides career support tailored to doctoral students, focusing on academic and research careers, as well as alternative career paths for PhDs. The CUNY Graduate Center also leverages its location in New York City to connect students with professional opportunities.

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