Penn State University (PSU) vs. University of Central Florida (UCF) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to Penn State University (PSU) or UCF?“
Penn State University (PSU)
University of Central Florida (UCF)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between Penn State University (PSU) and University of Central Florida (UCF). This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between Penn State University (PSU) and University of Central Florida (UCF)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between Penn State University (PSU) and University of Central Florida (UCF). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| Penn State University (PSU) | University of Central Florida (UCF) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $17,514 | $6,368 |
| Net Price | $29,226 | $14,221 |
| Average Financial Aid | $7,736 | $2,810 |
| Total Undergraduates | 40179 | 54091 |
| Average SAT Scores | 1090 - 1300 | 1080 - 1270 |
| Acceptance Rate | 51 | 49 |
| Location | 201 Old Main | 4000 Central Florida Blvd |
| City Name | University Park | Orlando |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, University of Central Florida (UCF) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between University Park and Orlando. Penn State University (PSU) is in a Mid-Atlantic and UCF is in a South Atlantic - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is Penn State University (PSU) or University of Central Florida (UCF) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then University of Central Florida (UCF) is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that University of Central Florida (UCF) is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, Penn State University (PSU) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do Penn State University (PSU) Dorms Compare to housing Options at UCF?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. Penn State University (PSU) charges for on-campus living, while UCF charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
Penn State University (PSU) and UCF student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| Penn State University (PSU), % | UCF,% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 68.61 | 53.25 |
| Hispanic | 5.949999999999999 | 24.04 |
| Black | 4.19 | 11.219999999999999 |
| Foreign | 10.66 | 1.08 |
| Others | 10.6 | 10.4 |
How different is the Penn State University (PSU) campus compared to University of Central Florida (UCF) campus?
The Penn State University (PSU) campus is located in University Park, PA and is characterized as City: Small (population less than 100,000). The UCF campus is located in Orlando, FL and is characterized as Suburb: Large (outside principal city, in urbanized area with population of 250,000 or more).
Which school gives more financial aid?
Penn State University (PSU) provides $7,736 whereas UCF provides an average of $2,810.
How does Penn State University (PSU) academics compare to UCF?
When analyzing academics between Penn State University (PSU) and University of Central Florida (UCF) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | Penn State University (PSU) | UCF |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | 320 | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | 102 | N/A |
| Architecture and related services | 74 | 43 |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | 32 | 2 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 831 | 562 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 956 | 371 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 1886 | 999 |
| Education | 346 | 1051 |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | N/A |
Which is better: Penn State University (PSU) or University of Central Florida (UCF)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between Penn State University (PSU) and UCF. But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does Penn State University (PSU) social life compare to UCF?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how Penn State University (PSU) social life differs from UCF.
Check here.
Check here.