Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Central Florida vs Washington and Lee University
- Central Florida Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 7
- Washington Lee Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Central Florida offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Washington and Lee University achieves a higher graduation rate (94% vs 77%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $23,781 compared to University of Central Florida's $10,411. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Central Florida's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
44 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Central Florida
- Lower cost: Average net price of $10,411, roughly $13,370 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,190, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.6%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Washington Lee
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $94,810 ten years after enrollment, 63% more than University of Central Florida
- Higher grad rate: 94% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 14% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Central Florida graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (15% of degrees); Washington Lee in Business & Marketing (32%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Washington and Lee University over University of Central Florida. Median earnings of $94,810 ten years after enrollment vs $58,308.
Pick University of Central Florida over Washington and Lee University. Net price $10,411 vs $23,781.
Pick University of Central Florida over Washington and Lee University. 2.6% mobility rate vs 0.6%.
Pick Washington and Lee University over University of Central Florida. 94% completion rate vs 77%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Central Florida and Washington and Lee University split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Washington and Lee University is the harder admit. It takes 14% of applicants, while University of Central Florida takes 40%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,269 to 1,498.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Washington and Lee University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, University of Central Florida comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $10,411, about $13,370 a year below Washington and Lee University's $23,781. Graduates of University of Central Florida also borrow less: median debt of $18,190, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $53,480 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Central Florida leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Washington and Lee University graduates report median earnings of $94,810, compared with $58,308 at University of Central Florida. That is a 63% advantage. Set against borrowing, Washington and Lee University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.21x to 0.31x.
So what: An earnings gap of 63% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Washington and Lee University graduates a larger share of its students, 94% versus 77%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 18% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
University of Central Florida does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.6%; at Washington and Lee University, it is 0.6%. University of Central Florida also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 7.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of Central Florida offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Central Florida to keep costs and debt down; pick Washington and Lee University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of Central Florida saves about $13,370 a year, yet Washington and Lee University graduates earn $36,502 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Washington and Lee University is harder to get into, with a 14% admit rate, but University of Central Florida posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.6%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. University of Central Florida concentrates enrollment in Health Professions, Psychology, while Washington and Lee University leans toward Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Central Florida's enrollment of 59,146 far exceeds Washington and Lee University's 1,881.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $23,781 runs well above University of Central Florida's $10,411.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL · Public
With over 59,000 students enrolled, the University of Central Florida is one of the largest public universities in the nation. This scale translates into a rich diversity of academic programs and campus life, making it a vibrant community for students seeking both education and social engagement.
Data from Opportunity Insights shows that UCF graduates see a median earnings increase to $58,308 ten years after enrolling. This reflects a solid return on investment, especially when considering the university’s net price of $10,411 and median debt of $18,190. While specific mobility metrics are not available, the university serves a significant number of Pell Grant recipients, indicating a commitment to supporting low-income students.
Students who thrive at UCF often pursue degrees in popular fields like Business, Health Professions, and Engineering. The moderate acceptance rate of 40% suggests that the university seeks students who show potential for success. With a graduation rate of 77%, many students are able to complete their degrees and enter the workforce prepared and skilled.
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 14%, Washington and Lee University draws students who are serious about their education and ready to engage deeply in their studies. This private institution, located in Lexington, Virginia, is known for strong programs in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, and Physical Sciences. If you’re looking for a place that encourages critical thinking and a close-knit community, this might just be the right fit for you.
Graduates from Washington and Lee see impressive earnings, with a median income of $94,810 ten years after graduation. This kind of financial outcome suggests that students who excel here are well-prepared for the job market and often find themselves in higher-paying positions. The strong graduation rate of 94% also points to a supportive environment that helps students succeed academically and transition smoothly into their careers.
When it comes to the practicalities of attending Washington and Lee, the net price after aid stands at $23,781, which is relatively manageable given the high earning potential post-graduation. With a median debt of $19,500, students can graduate with a reasonable amount of loans, especially considering the high salaries many alumni achieve. Those who thrive here are typically driven, engaged, and ready to make the most of their educational experience.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Central Florida is featured on the Best Education Colleges in Florida ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 15% of Central Florida's student body and 32% of Washington Lee's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Central Florida) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Washington Lee).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Central Florida is strongest in Health Professions, Engineering, while Washington and Lee University concentrates in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Central Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of Central Florida or Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 40% at University of Central Florida.
Which is more affordable, University of Central Florida or Washington and Lee University?
University of Central Florida is more affordable, with an average net price of $10,411 after aid versus $23,781 at Washington and Lee University.
Do University of Central Florida or Washington and Lee University graduates earn more?
Washington and Lee University graduates earn more: median earnings of $94,810 ten years after enrollment, versus $58,308 at University of Central Florida.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Central Florida or Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 77%.
University of Central Florida vs Washington and Lee University: which is better for social mobility?
University of Central Florida is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.6% versus 0.6%.
Should you choose University of Central Florida or Washington and Lee University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Central Florida if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Washington and Lee University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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