If you’re planning to attend the University of Central Florida (UCF), you might be wondering how much it costs to live on campus. Living on campus can offer many benefits, such as convenience, safety, social opportunities, and academic support. However, it also comes with a price tag that varies depending on the type of dorm room and meal plan you choose.
The cost of living on campus at UCF ranges from $5,954 to $9,230 per semester for dorm rooms and from $1,600 to $2,000 per semester for meal plans.
Dorm Room Options at UCF
UCF offers a variety of dorm room options for students, from traditional residence halls to apartment-style suites. The dorm room options are divided into three categories: community-style, suite-style, and apartment-style.
- Community-style dorms are the most affordable option, but they also have the least privacy and amenities. Students share a bathroom with other residents on the same floor or wing. These dorms include Apollo, Libra, Lake Claire, and Greek Park.
- Suite-style dorms offer more privacy and comfort, but they also cost more. Students share a bathroom with one or more roommates in the same suite. These dorms include Hercules, Nike, Neptune, and Honors Village.
- Apartment-style dorms are the most expensive option, but they also have the most amenities and space. Students have their own bedroom and bathroom, and share a kitchen and living area with their roommates. These dorms include NorthView, Towers at Knights Plaza, Rosen College Apartments, and UnionWest.
The table below shows a comparison of the dorm room options at UCF, including their features and costs per semester.
Room Type | Features | Cost Per Semester |
---|---|---|
Community-Style Shared Bedroom | Two or three beds in one room; shared bathroom; furnished; mini-fridge; internet; cable TV | $2,470 – $3,355 |
Community-Style Private Bedroom | One bed in one room; shared bathroom; furnished; mini-fridge; internet; cable TV | $2,810 – $3,550 |
Suite-Style Shared Bedroom | Two beds in one room; shared bathroom with suite-mates; furnished; mini-fridge; internet; cable TV | $3,010 – $4,079 |
Suite-Style Private Bedroom | One bed in one room; shared bathroom with suite-mates; furnished; mini-fridge; internet; cable TV | $3,180 – $4,317 |
Apartment-Style Shared Bedroom | Two beds in one room; private bathroom; furnished; full kitchen; internet; cable TV | $3,247 – $4,255 |
Apartment-Style Private Bedroom | One bed in one room; private bathroom; furnished; full kitchen; internet; cable TV | $3,622 – $4,595 |
Meal Plans at UCF
UCF also offers a variety of meal plans for students who live on campus or off campus. Meal plans consist of two components: meal swipes and dining dollars. Meal swipes can be used at any of the five all-you-care-to-eat dining locations on campus: ’63 South, Knightro’s, Ferrell Commons Cafe (coming soon), Rosen Cafe (coming soon), and UnionWest Cafe (coming soon). Dining dollars can be used at any of the retail dining locations on campus, such as Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Qdoba, and more.
The table below shows a comparison of the meal plans at UCF, including their food packages and costs per semester.
Meal Plan | Food Package | Cost Per Semester |
---|---|---|
All Access 7 Plus | Unlimited meal swipes + $150 dining dollars + 5 guest passes | $2,000 |
All Access 7 | Unlimited meal swipes + 5 guest passes | $1,850 |
All Access 5 Plus | Unlimited meal swipes Monday-Friday + $150 dining dollars + 5 guest passes | $1,800 |
All Access 5 | Unlimited meal swipes Monday-Friday + 5 guest passes | $1,650 |
Block 150 Plus | 150 meal swipes + $200 dining dollars + 5 guest passes | $1,750 |
Block 150 | 150 meal swipes + 5 guest passes | $1,550 |
Block 100 Plus | 100 meal swipes + $250 dining dollars + 5 guest passes | $1,600 |
Block 100 | 100 meal swipes + 5 guest passes | $1,400 |
Dorm Room Costs Comparison
How do the dorm room costs at UCF compare to those of similar schools in Florida? According to College Factual, the average cost of room and board for public four-year colleges in Florida is $11,400 per year, or $5,700 per semester. This means that UCF’s dorm room costs are slightly higher than the state average, but still within a reasonable range. However, some factors that may affect the comparison are:
- The quality and size of the dorm rooms
- The location and convenience of the dorms
- The availability and variety of the dorms
- The amenities and services provided by the dorms
For example, UCF’s apartment-style dorms may offer more space, comfort, and privacy than some other schools’ dorms, but they also cost more. UCF’s dorms are also located close to academic buildings, dining locations, and recreational facilities, which may save time and money for transportation. UCF also has a large and diverse selection of dorms to suit different preferences and needs, which may not be the case for some other schools. UCF also provides internet, cable TV, maintenance, and custodial services for all dorms, which may add value to the cost.
FAQs
Q: Do I have to buy a meal plan if I live on campus?
A: No, you do not have to buy a meal plan if you live on campus at UCF. However, having a meal plan can be convenient, flexible, and economical. You can choose from different meal plans that fit your lifestyle and budget. You can also enjoy a variety of food options at different locations on campus. Plus, you can save time and hassle from cooking, shopping, and cleaning.
Q: Can I change my dorm room or meal plan after I sign up?
A: Yes, you can change your dorm room or meal plan after you sign up, but there are some conditions and deadlines to consider. For dorm rooms, you can request a room change online through the Housing Portal2, but you have to wait until the room change period opens. The room change period usually starts a few weeks after the semester begins and lasts until mid-October for fall semester and mid-March for spring semester. You can also request a room swap with another student who agrees to exchange rooms with you. For meal plans, you can change your meal plan online through the Meal Plan Portal, but you have to do it before the end of the second week of classes for each semester. You can upgrade your meal plan at any time during the semester, but you can only downgrade your meal plan before the deadline.
Conclusion
Living on campus at UCF can be a great experience for students who want to enjoy the benefits of convenience, safety, social opportunities, and academic support. However, it also comes with a cost that depends on the type of dorm room and meal plan you choose. The cost of living on campus at UCF ranges from $5,954 to $9,230 per semester for dorm rooms and from $1,600 to $2,000 per semester for meal plans. These costs are slightly higher than the state average, but they also reflect the quality and variety of the options available. If you’re interested in living on campus at UCF, you can apply online through the Housing Application. You can also find more information about the dorm room options and meal plans on DormInfo.com.