About UCF
The University of Central Florida is the nation's second-largest university and one of the most dynamic universities in the country. Offering more than 200 degree programs, UCF has become an academic and research leader in many fields, including optics and photonics, modeling and simulation, engineering and computer science, business administration, education, life sciences, hospitality management and digital media.
UCF's 1,415-acre main campus provides modern facilities, most of which have wireless capability, with 600 acres set aside for lakes, woods and an arboretum. UCF now has 12 colleges, including the College of Medicine and College of Graduate Studies. Nearly 60,000 students attend classes on UCF's main campus in East Orlando and its 10 regional campuses located throughout Central Florida. UCF has granted more than 200,000 degrees since it began offering classes in 1968. Since President John Hitt's arrival in 1992, UCF's enrollment has more than doubled, research funding has more than quadrupled and the number of doctoral degrees awarded has grown eightfold.
Outstanding Students: UCF continues to attract the best and brightest students. The fall freshman class for the 2011-12 academic year posted an average SAT score of 1250 and a high school grade-point average of 3.8. Both numbers are university records. The fall freshman class also included a UCF-record 74 National Merit Scholars, and UCF ranked among the nation's top 30 universities for the total number of National Merit Scholars enrolled.
Attractive Amenities: The 45,000-seat Bright House Networks Stadium and the 10,000-seat UCF Arena opened in September 2007 on the north end of UCF's campus. Anchored by the UCF Arena, Knights Plaza also includes four student residence halls and various restaurants and shops that cater to students, visitors and community neighbors.
UCF's newly expanded Recreation and Wellness Center features a three-story climbing wall, an indoor track and myriad fitness equipment. The Student Union offers computer labs, study lounges, ballrooms and meeting rooms, popular eating establishments and a small shopping mall. A state-of-the-art Health Center supports a full-service health clinic with on-site professionals, X-ray capabilities, a pharmacy, a dental clinic, a medical laboratory and physical therapy services.
UCF has opened the first phase of a new performing arts center featuring state-of-the-art classrooms and practice and performance spaces for the Music and Theatre programs. The new center enhances the academic experience for students in the performing arts, and it eventually will host first-class theater and music programs for the UCF and surrounding communities to enjoy.
A National University to Watch: For the past three years, U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" guide has lauded UCF as a top 10 national university to watch. This category recognizes national universities that "recently made the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities." UCF also has been consistently ranked as one of the nation's best values by The Princeton Review and Kiplinger magazine.
A Diverse University: UCF's percentage of minority students reached an all-time high of 37.2 in fall 2011.
New College of Medicine: The UCF College of Medicine has enrolled 180 students in its first three classes. The college is the centerpiece of a medical city at Lake Nona bustling with scientists searching for cures for cancer and other diseases, future doctors learning about the latest advances in health care, and patients receiving high-quality care.
Research Leaders: UCF professors have earned more than $1.1 billion in external research grants in the past 12 years. UCF also ranks third in the country for the strength and impact of its patents, according to IEEE, the world's leading association for the advancement of technology.
Top Video-Gaming School: UCF's Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy is ranked No. 2 among all video-gaming graduate schools in the country, according to The Princeton Review and GamePro Media.
For more information about UCF, visit www.ucf.edu. For the latest news about UCF, visit www.today.ucf.edu.
