Head-to-head comparison
University of Central Florida vs Florida Atlantic University: which has better ROI?
Option A Orlando, FL
University of Central Florida
- Net price / year
- $10,411
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,308
- Payback
- 4.2 yrs
Option B Boca Raton, FL
Florida Atlantic University
- Net price / year
- $8,752
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,746
- Payback
- 4.2 yrs
University of Central Florida has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $41,644 in 4.2 years versus 4.2 years at Florida Atlantic University, on median earnings of $58,308 vs $56,746 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Central Florida | Florida Atlantic University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,411 | $8,752 |
| Total net cost | $41,644 | $35,008 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,308 | $56,746 |
| Median debt | $18,190 | $17,236 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | 4.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $157,316 | $132,712 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Central Florida or Florida Atlantic University?
Florida Atlantic University, at $8,752 a year after aid versus $10,411 — a gap of $1,659 a year, or $6,636 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Central Florida or Florida Atlantic University graduates earn more?
University of Central Florida graduates report a median $58,308 ten years after entry, $1,562 more than the $56,746 at Florida Atlantic University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Central Florida or Florida Atlantic University?
Florida Atlantic University: its completers carry a median $17,236 in federal loans versus $18,190 at University of Central Florida, a difference of $954. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
78% of students finish at University of Central Florida, against 63% at Florida Atlantic University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.