Overview
- DOGE data presented Nov. 7 showed New College spent $83,207 per student in FY2024, the highest in Florida’s system, while UCF spent $12,172, the lowest.
- The audit put New College’s operating cost per degree at about $494,715 versus UCF at $46,548, with system averages at $22,217 per student and $78,781 per degree.
- New College and the University of Florida reported the most administrators per 100 students at 33.3 and 26.9, respectively, compared with 4.6 at UCF.
- While highlighting UCF’s efficiency, the report also noted capacity strains, including a 28-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and only nine employees per 100 students.
- Ordered in February to examine spending and possible DEI support, the audit drew limited board comment and did not include DEI findings, while New College defended its costs as part of a rebuild with enrollment above 900 and a roughly 60-place slide in U.S. News rank.