Tampa, FL
University of South Florida, in Tampa, FL, is a public very large school, enrolling around 37,207 students. Admissions are moderately selective here -- roughly 43% of applicants get in. Among reported majors, Computer Engineering shows the strongest outcomes -- $109,054/year in median earnings four years after graduation. On-campus housing isn't required, so many students live off campus.
Admissions
Test scores for the Fall 2025 entering class come from University of South Florida's own 2025-26 Common Data Set: 78% submitted SAT scores, 22% submitted ACT scores.
Application deadlines for Fall 2027 entry
- Early Action: Nov 2, 2026
- Regular Decision: Dec 16, 2026
Confirm on University of South Florida's own admissions site before you apply.
Cost & outcomes
Out-of-state students pay $10,914 more per year in tuition and fees (2.7x the in-state rate).
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field. Tuition & fees are the sticker price for a full-time first-year undergrad, before financial aid, and don't include room and board.
Paying less as an out-of-state student
University of South Florida takes part in this regional program, which can cut the out-of-state rate for students from nearby states.
Academic Common Market
Residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia can pay in-state tuition for a specific major that no public college in their home state offers. You need admission to that major and approval from your home state's coordinator.
Where do you stand against University of South Florida's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow University of South Florida weighs your application
From University of South Florida's own Common Data Set, 2025-26, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what University of South Florida weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does University of South Florida look for in applicants?
Per University of South Florida's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, standardized test scores as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is University of South Florida's acceptance rate?
University of South Florida in Tampa, FL admits approximately 43% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for University of South Florida?
Per University of South Florida's own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1160–1340 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile, among students who submitted scores).
What ACT score do I need for University of South Florida?
Per University of South Florida's own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 25–29 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile, among students who submitted scores).
How much does University of South Florida cost?
University of South Florida's total cost of attendance is reported at $22,859 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
Does University of South Florida offer reduced tuition for out-of-state students?
Yes -- University of South Florida takes part in the Academic Common Market, a regional program that lets qualifying out-of-state students pay less than the full out-of-state rate. Eligibility depends on your home state, and the school sets its own requirements.
What is out-of-state tuition at University of South Florida?
For 2024-25, University of South Florida's published tuition and required fees were $17,324 for out-of-state students and $6,410 for in-state students -- $10,914 more per year for out-of-state students. That's before financial aid, and room and board are extra.
When is the application deadline for University of South Florida?
University of South Florida's deadlines are Early Action Nov 2, 2026; Regular Decision Dec 16, 2026, per its own published admissions calendar.
Does University of South Florida require students to live on campus?
No -- University of South Florida doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
Similar colleges in FL
Beacon College
Leesburg, FL · 43% admit rate
Warner University
Lake Wales, FL · 43% admit rate
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, FL · 41% admit rate
The University of Tampa
Tampa, FL · 40% admit rate
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL · 40% admit rate
Ana G. Mendez University
Orlando, FL
Comparing University of South Florida against another school?
Open the comparison view