Arkansas vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR with University of South Florida in Tampa, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Florida is larger than Arkansas based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 33,610 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); University of South Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• University of Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas 20:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

Arkansas vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas or USF Main Campus? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Florida than Arkansas ($11,579 vs. $18,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas are 1.4% lower than at University of South Florida ($14,244 vs. $14,440).
• University of Arkansas is 57.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $3,694 more per year; $10,104.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73% higher at Arkansas than at University of South Florida (about $12,642 more per year; $29,966.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Florida than at University of Arkansas (83% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida students is 21% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($10,652 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas or USF Main Campus? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USF Main Campus and Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Florida (1230) is 100 points higher than at Arkansas (1130).
• Incoming USF Main Campus students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Arkansas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; University of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; University of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027; USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at USF Main Campus (3.64).
• Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (74.3%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 23.3% at USF Main Campus.

Arkansas vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas and USF Main Campus? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $2,353 lower median loan debt than Arkansas graduates ($19,147 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arkansas graduates ($197 vs. $222).
• More Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.