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University of South Florida

University of South Florida

Tampa, FL · City · 37,207 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 2 · Early Action · in 31 days
Checked Sep 2026 · usf.edu
$9,812
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
76%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$57,743
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
43%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

The University of South Florida in Tampa is a high-impact, R1 public research institution known for its rapid rise in national rankings and top-tier programs in business, engineering, and the health sciences. Boasting a highly diverse student body, the vibrant campus culture is defined by Division I athletics, hundreds of active student organizations, and seamless integration into the booming Tampa Bay job market. USF uniquely sets itself apart through its powerhouse health ecosystem—anchored by the Morsani College of Medicine and renowned nursing and public health programs—as well as its status as a global leader in generating new U.S. utility patents.

Wikipedia:The University of South Florida (USF) is a public research university with its main campus located in Tampa, Florida, United States, and another campus in St. Petersburg. USF did own a campus in Sarasota, however, a Florida budget deal transferred ownership of the campus from USF to New College of Florida on July 1, 2026. It is one of 12 members of the State University System of Florida. USF is home to 14 colleges, offering more than 245 undergraduate, graduate, specialist, and doctoral-level degree programs. USF is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and is designated by the Florida Board of Governors as one of three Preeminent State Research Universities.

Location
Tampa, FL, 33620-9951 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
TPA · Tampa
9 mi away
Open in Google MapsView official campus map
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$6,410$17,324
Housing & food (on campus)$14,440$14,440
Books & supplies$770$770
Cost of attendance$22,859$33,773 est.
Average net price$9,812Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$17,324
In-state: $6,410
Housing & food (on campus)$14,440
Books & supplies$770
Cost of attendance$33,773 est.
In-state: $22,859
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $9,812
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$4,122
$30–48k
$5,444
$48–75k
$9,326
$75–110k
$15,224
$110k+
$18,497
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$3,493
First-years who got one827
Source: University of South Florida's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
76%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
65%
Back for yr 2
91%
Transferred
10%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
77% graduated · 14% transferred · 9% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$48,328
10 yrs after entry$57,743
Debt
Median at graduation$17,988
Monthly payment$191
Middle 50% owe$7.3k–$26.4k
90th percentile$34,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
43%
Test policy
Required
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1227
R 580–660 · M 550–660
ACT midpoint
27
Comp 24–29 · E 23–29 · M 22–27
SAT middle 50%: 1130–1320
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Action
Nov 2 2026
in 31 days
Not binding: apply early, hear early, and you can still apply elsewhere.
Regular Decision
Dec 16 2026
in 75 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Rolling admission
Mar 1 2027
in 150 days
Decisions come as applications arrive, so apply early.
Checked Sep 2026 · usf.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at University of South Florida: Not considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: University of South Florida's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If University of South Florida asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 43%Women 57%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
22 : 1
Pell grant
29%
First-gen
36%
Family income
$32,495
Independent
27%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
16%
Race & ethnicity
White
43%
Hispanic
24%
Black
8%
Asian
9%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
8%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Beach Volleyball
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Sailing
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$48,328
After 10 yrs
$57,743
Biology, General1197
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General1078
Psychology, General905
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing479
Finance and Financial Management Services465
Criminology387
Marketing384
Business/Commerce, General297
Communication and Media Studies285
Computer and Information Sciences, General281
Accounting and Related Services244
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities219
Political Science and Government209
Public Health204
Economics200
Management Information Systems and Services189
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$708M
Full-time faculty
73%
Faculty salary
$11,342/mo
Teaching spend
$13,361
per student
Federal loans
24%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$522M research spending · 323 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if University of South Florida is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
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