Florida vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

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

University of Florida is larger than USF Main Campus based on total student enrollment (56,311 students vs. 49,622 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Florida is located in Gainesville, FL (Midsize City setting); University of South Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• University of Florida 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 Florida 16:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

Florida vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida 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 Florida ($11,579 vs. $11,936).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Florida are 16.1% lower than at University of South Florida ($12,120 vs. $14,440).
• University of South Florida is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida (about $29 more per year; $6,410.00 vs. $6,381.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.4% higher at Florida than at University of South Florida (about $11,335 more per year; $28,659.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Florida than at University of South Florida (91% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Florida students is 1.8% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($10,846 vs. $10,652).

Florida vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida 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 Florida.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Florida (1400) is 170 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1230).
• Incoming Florida students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at USF Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Florida 1320/1480; University of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Florida 29/33; University of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida - Required; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Mar 1, 2027; USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at USF Main Campus (3.64).
• USF Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (43.2%) than Florida (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.2% at Florida vs. 23.3% at USF Main Campus.

Florida vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida 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 Florida's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than University of South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from University of Florida earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,600 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Florida graduates have a $3,332 lower median loan debt than USF Main Campus graduates ($15,815 vs. $19,147).
• Among borrowers, Florida graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF Main Campus graduates ($163 vs. $197).
• More Florida graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.