The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university in Orlando with 70,674 students in fall 2025, including 3,402 international students, and 250 degree programmes.[1] QS places it in the 731–740 band in the World University Rankings 2027;[2] U.S. News 2027 ranks it 58th among public universities and 121st among National Universities.[3]
For 2026–27 UCF charges $212.28 per undergraduate credit hour to Florida residents and $891.07 to non-residents; graduate courses cost $369.65 and $1,276.48 per credit hour.[4][5] Applicants whose native language is not English can show proficiency with, among other options, IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 4 (tests from January 2026; 80 before) or Duolingo 120.[6]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Central Florida (UCF) |
| Location | 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, Florida 32816, United States; main campus in unincorporated Orange County, about 13 miles east of downtown Orlando[7] |
| Type | Public research university in the State University System of Florida; Carnegie R1[7] |
| Founded | Authorised by the Florida Legislature on 10 June 1963; opened in 1968 as Florida Technological University; renamed University of Central Florida in December 1978[7] |
| Students | 70,674 in fall 2025: 60,083 undergraduates, 10,120 graduate students and 471 medical (M.D.) students[1] |
| International students | 3,402 (4.8% of enrolment), fall 2025[1] |
| Degree programmes | 250: 112 bachelor’s, 98 master’s, 34 research doctorates, 3 professional doctorates and 3 specialist programmes[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 731–740 (band; no exact position)[2] |
| U.S. News 2027 | 58th among public universities (57th the year before); 121st in National Universities[3] |
| Tuition 2026–27, undergraduate, per credit hour | $212.28 Florida resident · $891.07 non-resident[4] |
| Tuition 2026–27, graduate, per credit hour | $369.65 Florida resident · $1,276.48 non-resident[5] |
| English proficiency, first-year | Any one of: IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 4 (from Jan 2026) or 80 (earlier) · Duolingo 120 · SAT EBRW 520 · ACT English 20 · CLT 42[6] |
| English proficiency, graduate | TOEFL iBT 80 · IELTS 6.5 · Duolingo 120; scores valid for 2 years[8] |
| Official website | ucf.edu |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About the University of Central Florida
The Florida Legislature authorised the university on 10 June 1963. It opened in 1968 as Florida Technological University and took its present name in December 1978.[7] UCF’s own facts page gives the main address as 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, and records that construction began in January 1967 and first classes started in October 1968.[1]
In fall 2025 UCF had 70,674 students, among them 3,402 international students (4.8%).[1] Wikipedia lists it as an R1 research university with a main campus about 13 miles east of downtown Orlando and regional campuses including Daytona Beach, Cocoa, Sanford and Downtown Orlando.[7]
How is the University of Central Florida ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, UCF is in the 731–740 band; the list we read gives no exact position for it.[2]
In the U.S. News & World Report 2027 rankings (reported on 23 September 2026) UCF moved from 57th to 58th among public universities and placed 121st in the National Universities category, which includes private universities.[3] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Central Florida?
UCF offers 250 degree programmes: 112 bachelor’s, 98 master’s, 34 research doctorates, 3 professional doctorates and 3 specialist programmes.[1] Its colleges are Arts and Humanities; Business; Community Innovation and Education; Engineering and Computer Science; Graduate Studies; Health Professions and Sciences; Medicine; Nursing; Optics and Photonics; the Rosen College of Hospitality Management; and Sciences.[1]
How much does the University of Central Florida cost in 2026–27?
| Per credit hour (2026–27) | Florida resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $212.28 | $891.07 |
| Graduate | $369.65 | $1,276.48 |
The undergraduate total is made up of tuition ($105.07) and several fees, including a tuition differential of $44.20 (charged to students admitted since fall 2007); non-residents pay an additional non-resident fee of $646.48 and a non-resident financial aid fee of $32.31.[4] Graduate rates have no tuition differential: tuition is $288.16, and non-residents pay a further $863.66 plus a $43.17 financial aid fee.[5]
As an illustration, 30 credit hours of undergraduate courses come to about $6,368 for a Florida resident and about $26,732 for a non-resident (our calculation from the per-credit totals; actual bills depend on the courses, any flat fees and the credit load). The rate pages list “Florida resident” and “Non-resident” columns only; we found no separate international rate.
How do you apply to the University of Central Florida?
International undergraduate applicants use the UCF Undergraduate Application; first-time-in-college international applicants can alternatively use the Common App. Freshmen submit official transcripts, graduation certificates or leaving-exam results from all schools attended, plus any AP, IB, AICE, Cambridge or CLEP scores; documents not in English need a certified literal translation. Transfer applicants with 12 or more post-secondary credit hours also need a course-by-course evaluation of international college work.[6]
The page does not set a general SAT/ACT requirement for international first-year applicants; it requires official SAT, ACT or CLT scores from transfer applicants with 11 or fewer post-secondary credit hours. Check your own category with UCF Admissions.[6] International applicants submit immigration-related documents, including the Certification of Finances for F-1 and J-1 applicants, to UCF Global.[6]
Graduate applicants follow the College of Graduate Studies’ international pages; for immigration questions that page points to intladmissions@ucf.edu.[8] We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme.
Which English level do you need?
For first-year applicants whose native language is not English, any one of these options is accepted:[6]
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 4 for tests taken from January 2026 · 80 for earlier tests |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 |
| SAT | 520 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (480 Critical Reading on the older SAT) |
| ACT English | 20 |
| CLT | 42 Verbal Reasoning + Grammar/Writing |
Other routes include a prior degree from a U.S. institution or an English-only country, four years of high school English in the U.S., and certain UCF Global English programme or college course completions. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.[6]
For graduate study UCF lists TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5 and Duolingo 120. The page also shows a TOEFL iBT row of 4 for tests after 21 January 2026 without explaining it. Scores are valid for two years, and some programmes require higher scores. Applicants may be exempt if they come from a country where English is the only official language, hold a U.S. degree or an equivalent degree from an English-instruction university, completed UCF’s English Language Institute Level 8 or higher with a B or better, or earned a UCF Global Pearson Benchmark score of at least 68 in all sub-scores.[8]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at the University of Central Florida for out-of-state students?
What TOEFL or IELTS score does UCF require?
How many students does the University of Central Florida have?
70,674 in fall 2025, of whom 3,402 were international students.[1]
More about studying in Florida
- Florida: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Florida
Sources
[1] University of Central Florida: UCF Facts 2025–2026 (page without a date; figures for fall 2025)
[2] xuanxiao.org: QS World University Rankings 2027, ranks 701–750 (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (edition published 18 Jun 2026; band 731–740)
[3] Orlando Weekly: UCF drops in national rankings along with most Florida universities (reports U.S. News 2027) (article of 23 Sep 2026)
[4] UCF Student Accounts: Undergraduate tuition and fees, current rates 2026–2027 (page without a date)
[5] UCF Student Accounts: Graduate tuition and fees, current rates 2026–2027 (page without a date)
[6] UCF Admissions: International applicants (undergraduate) (page without a date; refers to Fall 2025 and TOEFL changes of January 2026)
[7] Wikipedia: University of Central Florida (history, classification and campuses)
[8] UCF College of Graduate Studies: International applicants (page without a date; footer 2026)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.