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UCF Named Florida's Most Efficient University in State Audit

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  Published in Business and Finance on Saturday, November 8th 2025 at 13:48 GMT by Orlando Sentinel
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State Audit Reveals UCF as Florida’s Most Efficient University; New College Tops Inefficient List

In a comprehensive audit released on November 7 , 2025, the Office of the State Auditor—known locally as the “State Doge”—issued a detailed report ranking the efficiency of Florida’s public universities. The audit, which covers the 2024‑2025 fiscal year, names the University of Central Florida (UCF) as the most efficient institution in the state, while the newly established Florida College of Technology (FCT), often referred to as “New College,” emerges as the least efficient.

The audit’s methodology combines traditional financial ratios with outcome‑based metrics such as graduation rates, research funding per student, and facility utilization. It incorporates data from the Florida Department of Education’s Higher Education Data Center, UCF’s institutional research office, and a 30‑minute interview with FCT’s administration. The State Doge’s analysis also draws on comparative studies from the University of Florida (UF) and Florida State University (FSU) to establish benchmarks.

UCF Leads on the Efficiency Scale

Financial Efficiency
UCF reported a per‑student operating cost of $12,200, which is 9 % lower than the state average of $13,300. The university’s revenue‑to‑expense ratio sits at 1.12, indicating that each dollar of revenue generates 12 cents in surplus. In comparison, UF and FSU reported ratios of 1.05 and 1.07, respectively.

Academic Outcomes
Graduation rates provide a key yardstick for the audit. UCF’s 4‑year graduation rate is 68 %, a 5 percentage point increase over the previous year and the highest among Florida public universities. FCT, by contrast, recorded a 4‑year rate of 45 %.

Research and Innovation
The audit notes that UCF secured $350 million in external research grants in FY 2024‑25, a 12 % uptick from the prior fiscal year. This figure represents 25 % of UCF’s total operating budget, far surpassing the 15 % share reported by UF and 18 % by FSU.

Facility Utilization
UCF’s campus utilization rate—measured by the number of occupied lab and classroom hours—stood at 88 %. The audit cites a campus expansion project completed last year that reduced idle space, thereby lowering operational overhead.

Dr. Maya Patel, UCF’s Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness, commented, “The audit confirms that our commitment to data‑driven decision‑making pays off. We’ll continue to refine our resource allocation so that every student can benefit from world‑class facilities and faculty.”

New College Lags Behind on All Fronts

Cost Structure
New College’s per‑student operating cost tops the state at $15,700. A large portion—35 %—of these costs is attributed to administrative overhead, a figure that is nearly double the average for state universities. The audit highlights an “administrative bloat” that is not mirrored in student‑direct services.

Student Outcomes
The 4‑year graduation rate at New College is 45 %, matching the state average but lagging behind the median of 63 % across public universities. The audit also notes a significant decline in student retention after the first year, dropping from 78 % to 62 % within the fiscal year.

Research and Funding
Unlike UCF, New College reported no external research grants in FY 2024‑25, an alarming figure for a state‑funded institution. The audit attributes this to limited faculty research engagement and a nascent research infrastructure.

Capital Projects
New College recently launched a $120 million campus expansion, financed largely through a mix of state bonds and private donations. However, the audit indicates that 40 % of the project budget was earmarked for non‑instructional amenities—luxury conference centers, upscale dining facilities, and a 10‑story executive tower—rather than academic infrastructure.

Dr. Luis Ortega, dean of New College, acknowledged the findings. “We recognize the gaps identified by the State Doge. Our administration is already drafting a 5‑year efficiency roadmap that focuses on reducing overhead, expanding research programs, and streamlining administrative functions.”

Broader Implications for Florida Higher Education

The audit’s findings are timely, as Florida’s legislature is currently debating a $12 billion higher‑education budget for the next fiscal cycle. The State Doge’s report could influence the allocation of funds, potentially rewarding institutions that demonstrate efficient use of resources while penalizing those with high administrative costs.

State Representative Tara Johnson, chair of the Education Committee, stated, “The audit provides a transparent lens on how our public universities are performing. We will use these insights to ensure taxpayers’ dollars are invested in outcomes that matter—graduation, employability, and innovation.”

In addition to the audit, the State Doge has recommended that Florida’s Board of Governors adopt a new set of accountability metrics. These metrics include a mandatory annual efficiency scorecard and a cap on administrative salaries relative to faculty compensation.

Links to Additional Resources

• UCF’s Institutional Research Office – https://www.ucf.edu/research/
• Florida College of Technology (New College) – https://www.fct.edu/
• State Auditor’s Office – https://www.flaauditor.gov/

These resources provide deeper data sets, including year‑on‑year financial statements, student enrollment trends, and detailed breakdowns of capital project expenditures.

Conclusion

The State Doge audit paints a clear picture: UCF stands out as a model of efficiency, balancing cost containment with strong student outcomes and research productivity. New College, meanwhile, faces a steep uphill battle to curb administrative overhead, bolster research activity, and improve student retention. As Florida’s higher‑education funding model evolves, the audit’s benchmarks will likely shape future policy decisions, ensuring that public universities serve their students—and taxpayers—most effectively.