Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of Central Florida vs Valencia College: which has better ROI?

Public, Orlando FL · vs · Public, Orlando FL

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of Central Florida has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $41,644 in 4.2 years versus not at all at Valencia College, on median earnings of $58,308 vs $40,594 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Central FloridaValencia College
Net price / yr$10,411$12,037
Total net cost$41,644$48,148
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,308$40,594
Median debt$18,190$9,300
Payback4.2 yrs—
20-year net return$157,316-$203,468

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of Central Florida or Valencia College?

University of Central Florida, at $10,411 a year after aid versus $12,037 — a gap of $1,626 a year, or $6,504 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Central Florida or Valencia College graduates earn more?

University of Central Florida graduates report a median $58,308 ten years after entry, $17,714 more than the $40,594 at Valencia College. 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.

Which leaves students with less debt, University of Central Florida or Valencia College?

Valencia College: its completers carry a median $9,300 in federal loans versus $18,190 at University of Central Florida, a difference of $8,890. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

78% of students finish at University of Central Florida, against 48% at Valencia College. 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.

University of Central Florida vs Valencia College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Central Florida or Valencia College a better value?
University of Central Florida. It clears its $41,644 net cost in about 4.2 years versus no clear payback at Valencia College, on median earnings of $58,308 vs $40,594 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Central Florida or Valencia College?
University of Central Florida: $10,411/yr net price after aid versus $12,037/yr at Valencia College — a difference of $1,626 a year, or about $6,504 over four years.
Do University of Central Florida or Valencia College graduates earn more?
University of Central Florida graduates earn a median $58,308 ten years after entry, versus $40,594 at Valencia College — a $17,714 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.