Florida State vs. USF Main Campus

Florida State University and University of South Florida side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Florida State University
University of South Florida

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Florida State (24.2% admitted vs 43.2%). Typical SAT 1340 vs 1230.
  • Cheaper after aid: USF Main Campus. Average net price is $11,579 vs $15,815 at Florida State.
  • Graduation: Florida State 74% vs USF Main Campus 52%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Florida State $51,400 vs USF Main Campus $46,500 (median).
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Key differences

Florida State University University of South Florida
Acceptance rate
Florida State more selective
Florida State24.2%
USF Main Campus43.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Florida State higher
Florida State1270-1410
USF Main Campus1130-1320
Average net price
USF Main Campus $4,236 less
Florida State$15,815
USF Main Campus$11,579
In-state tuition
Florida State $754 less
Florida State$5,656
USF Main Campus$6,410
Out-of-state tuition
USF Main Campus $1,462 less
Florida State$18,786
USF Main Campus$17,324
Graduation rate
Florida State +22 pts
Florida State74%
USF Main Campus52%
Median earnings (10 years)
Florida State +$4,900
Florida State$51,400
USF Main Campus$46,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Florida State 78,272
  • USF Main Campus 68,576
  • Admitted
  • Florida State 18,954
  • USF Main Campus 29,621
  • Acceptance rate
  • Florida State 24.2%
  • USF Main Campus 43.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Florida State 30.9%
  • USF Main Campus 23.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Florida State 1340
  • USF Main Campus 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • Florida State 30
  • USF Main Campus 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Florida State 3.7
  • USF Main Campus 3.64
  • Typical high school grades
  • Florida State A-
  • USF Main Campus A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Florida State Very High
  • USF Main Campus Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Florida State Very High
  • USF Main Campus Low
  • SAT range
  • Florida State 1270-1410
  • USF Main Campus 1130-1320
  • ACT range
  • Florida State 29-32
  • USF Main Campus 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Florida State Required
  • USF Main Campus Required
  • Application deadline
  • Florida State Mar 1, 2027
  • USF Main Campus May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Florida State $5,656
  • USF Main Campus $6,410
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Florida State $18,786
  • USF Main Campus $17,324
  • Room & board
  • Florida State $13,474
  • USF Main Campus $14,440
  • Average net price
  • Florida State $15,815
  • USF Main Campus $11,579
  • Average grant aid
  • Florida State $9,279
  • USF Main Campus $10,652
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Florida State 91%
  • USF Main Campus 83%
  • Graduation rate
  • Florida State 74%
  • USF Main Campus 52%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Florida State $51,400
  • USF Main Campus $46,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Florida State 63%
  • USF Main Campus 57%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Florida State $20,750
  • USF Main Campus $19,147
  • Median loan payment
  • Florida State $214
  • USF Main Campus $197
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Florida State 17:1
  • USF Main Campus 22:1
  • Popular majors
  • Florida State
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (19%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
  • USF Main Campus
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Education (8%)
  • Location
  • Florida State Tallahassee, FL
  • USF Main Campus Tampa, FL
  • Setting
  • Florida State Midsize City
  • USF Main Campus Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Florida State 43,889
  • USF Main Campus 49,622
  • Type
  • Florida State Public 4 Year
  • USF Main Campus Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Florida State #181
  • USF Main Campus #411

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL with University of South Florida in Tampa, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of South Florida is larger than Florida State based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 43,889 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); University of South Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
  • Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida State University 17:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 6.7% lower than at University of South Florida ($13,474 vs. $14,440).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at Florida State than at University of South Florida (about $1,462 more per year; $18,786 vs. $17,324).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at University of South Florida (91% vs. 83%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida students is 14.8% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($10,652 vs. $9,279).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Florida State than at USF Main Campus (30 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at both Florida State and USF Main Campus.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027; USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Florida State average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at USF Main Campus (3.64).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 23.3% at USF Main Campus.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $1,603 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($19,147 vs. $20,750).
  • Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($197 vs. $214).
  • More Florida State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 57%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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