The University of Central Florida (UCF) has been recognized as the most financially efficient university in Florida, according to a recent audit conducted by the Florida State Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE). The report, which was presented to the Florida Board of Governors, highlighted that UCF spent significantly less per student and per degree compared to its peers, making it a standout in the state’s higher education landscape.
During a meeting on October 19, 2023, Ben Watkins, the director of Florida’s Division of Bond Finance, emphasized UCF’s efficiency, stating, “Where do I put my money that I’m getting the best, the most results from the dollars I invest? The answer is UCF.” The findings also pointed out that New College of Florida, located in Sarasota, was the least efficient, spending almost double the amount per student compared to UCF.
The audit was commissioned by Governor Ron DeSantis in February 2023 as part of his initiative to address what he described as unnecessary spending at state universities and to examine their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Notably, the report did not address the status of DEI programs within Florida’s universities, which has been a focal point of DeSantis’ educational reforms.
UCF remains Florida’s largest public university by enrollment, with nearly 69,818 students in the last academic year. The university spent approximately $46,548 per degree and $12,172 per student. In contrast, the University of Florida (UF) allocated $150,729 per degree, while Florida State University (FSU) and the University of South Florida (USF) spent $85,796 and $72,252 respectively. The average expenditure across Florida universities was $22,217 per student and $78,781 per degree.
Despite UCF’s strong financial efficiency, the audit revealed that it has the lowest student-to-employee ratio among Florida’s public universities, with only nine full-time employees for every 100 students. Additionally, UCF’s student-to-faculty ratio stands at 28 to 1, which is double the national average. This discrepancy is largely attributed to UCF’s enrollment growth of more than 27,000 students over the past two decades without a corresponding increase in faculty hiring. UCF President Alexander Cartwright noted that the university’s recent attainment of “preeminent” status could lead to additional funding and an opportunity to bolster its faculty in the coming year.
In stark contrast, New College of Florida, with an enrollment of around 900 students, reported spending approximately $83,207 per student in state funding for 2024, significantly higher than UF’s expenditures. The financial strain on New College is evident, as the state invested nearly half a million dollars per degree produced there, compared to $154,213 at Florida Polytechnic University, the next highest spending institution.
New College has undergone significant changes since DeSantis appointed a new board of trustees in 2023, aiming to transform it into a classical liberal arts institution similar to Hillsdale College. This overhaul included the dismissal of the school’s diversity director and the removal of DEI programs, which occurred prior to the statewide ban on such initiatives. The state has since allocated millions of dollars to support the college’s restructuring, although its national ranking has suffered, dropping from 76th to 135th among liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report.
Officials at New College defended their high spending per student, attributing it to issues stemming from previous leadership. College spokesman James Miller expressed optimism, stating that as enrollment continues to grow, cost metrics will align more closely with those of top liberal arts institutions across the country.
In summary, the DOGE audit sheds light on the financial performance of Florida’s universities, indicating that while UCF excels in efficiency, New College’s transformation remains a work in progress as it navigates the challenges of increased spending and shifting academic priorities.
