UCF Degrees: A Strong Investment for Students, the State of Florida and Industry

At the University of Central Florida, every dollar invested yields remarkable returns — both for students and for the state’s economy. With more than 9,000 highly skilled graduates this spring and 18,000 annually, UCF continues to drive workforce development and economic growth across Florida.

Two graduating students embody the value of a UCF education: Chloe Pinkston and Nicole Stevens. As they cross the commencement stage this weekend, their degrees in aerospace engineering and biomedical sciences, respectively, highlight the transformative impact of UCF.

Like 70% of her fellow undergraduates, Pinkston will graduate with no educational debt from UCF. Her degree will set her up for a lifetime income of more than $1 million over what someone without a college degree earns.

Stevens, a transfer student from the innovative DirectConnect to UCF program, saved more than $6,500 in tuition and fees by attending a partner state college before transitioning to UCF. This national model pathway program demonstrates UCF’s commitment to providing accessible, affordable and high-quality education.

Their degrees will come with a strong return on investment for them and the State of Florida — UCF produces high-quality degrees at the lowest cost per degree of any institution in the State University System.

Both degrees are also a boon for Florida’s growing engineering and technology-driven economy. Pinkston and Stevens will enroll at UCF’s College of Medicine this fall. Pinkston plans to pursue a career in the aerospace medicine industry, which is rapidly expanding along with the growth in private space flight. Stevens aspires to become a pediatrician in Florida — a field where there is a shortage of doctors to meet the growing needs of the state’s population.

As the state’s top producer of engineering and nursing degrees, UCF plays a crucial role in sustaining Florida’s economic competitiveness. Companies in aerospace, technology, and healthcare know they can rely on UCF for a steady pipeline of world-class talent.

The success of UCF’s graduates isn’t just their own — it’s a win for Florida, too. With a focus on affordability, quality and workforce alignment, UCF demonstrates how investing in higher education pays dividends for students, businesses, and the entire state.

UCF provides students with an exceptional return on their investment.

Most students graduate with no debt from the university thanks to a UCF degree being one of the most affordable in the nation and through the generosity of philanthropy. Pinkston, for example, earned a STEM scholarship from Lockheed Martin and a scholarship from the Florida Daughters of the American Revolution.

Pell Grants are another vital resource for more than half of UCF’s undergraduate students. These federal grants awarded based on financial need are transformative for students and families by providing funding that does not need to be repaid.

The university’s world-class faculty, who bring strong industry experience and expertise into the classroom, and UCF’s deep partnerships with industry give UCF students a competitive edge when they graduate.

That all translates into an exceptional return on investment for students — and, when you put all of the graduates together, a huge economic impact by UCF alumni on the State of Florida.

INCREASED EARNINGS

Transfer students from Florida’s state colleges benefit from extra savings.

More than 8,200 students transfer to UCF from Florida’s state colleges each year, with most coming from the DirectConnect to UCF partnership with six area state colleges.

By doing so, they save an average of $6,553 — 25% — off their total tuition costs compared to what they would have paid for four years at UCF.

DirectConnect to UCF has become a national model, spotlighted by organizations like The Aspen Institute and The Chronicle of Higher Education. To date, more than 77,900 degrees have been awarded to DirectConnect students coming to UCF from the program’s six state college partners, with the majority coming from Valencia College.

FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM TRANSFER ENROLLMENT

UCF’s benefit to the state of Florida goes well beyond the value of the degrees.

UCF serves more of Florida’s students than any other university. More than 90% of UCF’s undergraduate students are Florida residents — and most will stay in Florida after they graduate, with 85% of UCF’s new graduates remaining in Florida.

UCF’s alumni contribute $6.7 billion in added income for Florida’s economy — equivalent to supporting 75,371 jobs, according to the most recent Lightcast Economic Impact Study. They are leaders and innovators in engineering, computer science, space, nursing, digital media, healthcare, optics and photonics, and many other fields — helping to drive Florida’s economy and make the state a better place to live.

EXTENDING UCF’S IMPACT

UCF also produces degrees more efficiently than any other State University institution, meaning a UCF degree provides a strong return on investment for taxpayers. The actual cost of each degree to the state is under $25,000, while it exceeds $40,000 for other leading Florida institutions.

COST TO STATE PER DEGREE

As graduates like Pinkston and Stevens celebrate their huge accomplishments at this weekend’s commencement ceremonies, it’s clear that the state of Florida and industry have many reasons to celebrate as well.