My senior daughter is considering both schools and I see pro and con to both. Looking for some insight. I see FSU as more the traditional university and offers a more wild campus life. Or at least that is what i am told . I love the campus and the football feel. But her major would be marketing and UCF offer a better program.Its was the highest rated in the state They also have a nice campus and just a so so on football. In addition, she would have opportunities to do Co-Op and internships in Orlando while in school. I have a large company contact that would look excellent on her resume in 4 years. There is nothing in Tally but government jobs. She has more friends going to FSU and thinks that would be more fun. Any thoughts from parents or students out there. In the end its her decision , but I think she would have a better resume out of UCF as she would have more then just a degree
The main disadvantage to UCF, is a lack of funding as compared to FSU (and especially as compared to UF). FSU has a better student to faculty ratio, a higher % of full time faculty, and FSU spends more $ per student.
FSU business school (and the overall university) is much higher ranked than UCF.
FSU has a higher freshman retention rate and higher graduation rates.
While internships are more limited in Tally, most marketing internships require leaving town (even Orlando). She can always work the Orlando internship over the summer, or take a fall or spring semester off to work in Orlando.
If your daughter wants to go to FSU, and it’s not a financial issue (UCF is much more generous with merit based aid), then I wouldn’t force her to choose UCF. She’ll never be happy. Then again, you know your daughter best!
UCF does have it’s advantages. Better location, stronger in some majors (but, I don’t believe marketing is one of them), offers better merit aid, etc.
Good Luck!
We aren’t native Floridians and before we moved here, had never heard of UCF. Academically, FSU is better respected although I think UCF is working hard to improve that and will one day. I have nieces and nephews who graduated from their state flagships ( not Florida) and though they never thought they would, have moved cross country with spouses or been relocated by their employers. Its been interesting to watch them quickly make connections with alumni clubs from their universities in San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, Richmond and Charlotte. FSU would have that for your daughter. As far as FSU being “wild”, I think that could be said about any large university including UCF or UF or the University of Miami. There are all kinds of college kids and your daughter will be able to choose from an abundance of all kinds of wonderful kids. My son has made lifelong, fun,football obsessed, hard working, calm, non partying friends at his university and he met his two best friends on the 2nd day of his freshman year.