UCF at a Glance
The University of Central Florida, the nation’s
second-largest university with an enrollment
of more than 63,000 students, is a dynamic
and entrepreneurial institution. Offering
212 degree programs, UCF is an academic
and research leader in optics, modeling
and simulation, engineering and computer
science, education, hospitality management,
digital media and other ields. It is ranked
among the nation’s top 15 “most innovative”
institutions by U.S. News & World Report and
among the nation’s best values by Kiplinger
and The Princeton Review.
UCF is one of only 25 institutions in
the nation to earn the Carnegie
Foundation’s highest distinction
in the categories of “very high
research activity” and “community
engagement.” The community
engagement designation is
based on the extent and depth of
engagements with local, national and
global communities.
UCF attracts many of the nation’s best and brightest students.
The fall freshman class for the 2015-16 academic year posted
an average SAT score of 1261 with an average high school
weighted GPA of 4.0. A total of 277 National Merit Scholars
enrolled in fall 2015. UCF continues to become more diverse
each year, with a school-record 43 percent of students in fall
2015 classiied as minorities.
UCF is one of Central Florida’s largest employers, with nearly
12,000 staff and faculty members. The College of Medicine and
Medical City partners at Lake Nona are projected to create
30,000 jobs and more than $7.6 billion in annual economic
impact in years ahead. The university impacts more than
112,000 additional jobs and adds $7.7 billion of value to the
economy.
UCF researchers have earned more than $1 billion in external
grants during the past decade. Last year, university researchers
secured $133.4 million in grants. UCF’s internationally recognized
Institute for Simulation and Training is an anchor of the state’s $5
billion modeling and simulation industry.
UCF awarded 15,484 degrees in 2014-15, which led all other state
universities in Florida.
Students attend classes on UCF’s 1,415-acre
main campus in East Orlando and at 15
satellite facilities throughout Central Florida.
The campus has 600 acres set aside for lakes,
woods and an arboretum.
florida.HIGH.TECH 2016
21