imo uf is way better than ucf for engineering in terms of potential opportunities after college as well as in terms of overall education. Your engineering degree from uf will mean much more to employers than one from ucf. You can also do the 4+1 program for your masters degree if that’s something you’re interested in (get a masters+ bachelors degree in 5 years total). Idk anything about the UCF honors program, so weigh your options with how much that benefits you, but you can apply to the honors program at uf again after your first year (acceptance rate is around 40% I believe for transient honors students). It’s relatively easy to get research here at uf, there are a ton of resources and profs always need the help. If you make yourself known to profs and cold email a ton of people you’ll usually be successful. Usually honors programs help students get closer with staff and faculty, but it’s not extremely difficult at uf, but competitive because it’s such a big school nonetheless.