University of South Florida

Tampa, Florida

On this Page:

University of South Florida (USF) was founded in 1956. Over the years, it has quickly grown into a global education hub, transforming lives through education, research, and innovations. USF encourages diversity by housing 46% of students who are a mix of other races and religions. 

The University is home to 5000 international students, representing about 150 countries. USF offers more than 200 courses (both graduate and undergraduate) with the lowest tuition fees in the USA.

USF recently reached a landmark by joining the Association of American Universities (AAU). Becoming an AAU member positions USF as a leading research university worldwide. 

Mission: The University of Florida aims to conduct creative activities and research, offer groundbreaking scholarships, and foster a world-class educational experience for all student types to nurture intellectual quests and shape their future.

Goals: USF has set a 5-point agenda in the form of goals to better the world.

  1. list items
    Student success at USF and later.
  2. list items
    Provide excellence to faculty for research and innovation.
  3. list items
    Foster strong social and economic partnerships globally, nationally, and regionally, fostering a prosperous and sustainable future.
  4. list items
    Provide a diverse and inclusive community for learning and discovery through the adaptive design of physical, social, and digital environments.
  5. list items
    Ensure a robust and sustainable financial base through continuous visionary planning and sound stewardship.
Sprinkles

University of South Florida Key Highlights 

Established:  1956

Founded by

Florida Legislature

University Type

Public

University Motto

Student success and faculty excellence. A prosperous and sustainable future. Provide a safe, inclusive, and vibrant community. Have a strong, sustainable, and adaptable financial base.

University City

Tampa

University of South Florida Acceptance Rate

44%

Faculty to Student Ratio

1:22 

Endowment

$637,872,759

Campus Size

1562 Acres

Graduation Rate

75%

Acceptance Rate

44%

Official Website Link

https://www.usf.edu/
Sprinkles

University of South Florida Rankings & Recognition 

  • list items
    Ranked #1 in industry, innovation, and infrastructure among U.S. universities by Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, 2022.
  • list items
    Placed #21 among public and private employers, and #2 among higher education institutions by Forbes America’s Best Employers by State.
  • list items
    Ranked #24 in public institutions and #53 overall by Washington Monthly National University Rankings, 2023.
  • list items
    Ranked #45 among public universities and #89 overall by US News & World Report, 2024.
  • list items
    Named #15 among employers for women by Forbes, 2023.
  • list items
    Ranked #35 among public U.S. institutions by Times Higher Education World University Ranking, 2024.
  • list items
    Ranked #16 for social mobility among U.S. public universities by US News & World Report, 2024.

Moreover, here are some additional recognitions:

  • list items
    In 2022, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) elected six USF faculty members as Fellows.
  • list items
    USF was ranked among the top 50 best-value colleges in 2021 by Princeton Review, noted for its affordable, high-quality education.
  • list items
    Princeton Review's 2023 edition highlights USF as a leading institution committed to sustainability, with strong academic programs and campus facilities.

The University of South Florida has an accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Sprinkles

University of South Florida Campus Details

The USF has three campuses, Tampa being the main one. Other campuses are at St. Petersburg and Sarasota Manatee. 

The Tampa campus derives its vibrancy from the lush green palms and sunshine, luring students and providing homely warmth. It boasts a diverse community with vast student resources that recharge you once you enter. You get every opportunity to succeed here by collaborating with peers. 

The USF offers over 600 clubs and student organizations, 19 team sports, and a vibrant arts setting. Students can participate in various activities, such as writing for The Oracle, volunteering, and participating in sports. The University also provides recreational and wellness centres, Marshall Student Centre, The Village, housing options, dining facilities, and Florida's first Publix Super Market. The on-campus stadium contributes to the student-university association.

The campuses at Sarasota and St. Petersburg feature similar vibes as Tampa. You will be close to the most gorgeous beaches, panoramic historic districts, world-class shopping, and vibrant cultural organisations. 

Sprinkles

USF offers 240 undergraduate majors and degree programmes. These include graduate, specialist, doctoral, and also doctor of medicine. The programmes at USF are tailored to individual students to transform their education and experience into career readiness.

Let’s look at a few popular courses that the University of South Florida offers for non-Florida residents.

Program On-campus/Off-campus Tuition and Fees* (USD) Mandatory Fees and assessments**(USD) Duration (Year/ Months/Credits) Intake Sessions
Biomedical Engineering

On campus

$17,324

$50,134

Four years

Fall, Spring and Summer

 

Off-campus

$17,324

$35,114

Four years

Fall, Spring and Summer

Marine Biology B.S. (Undergraduate)

On -campus

$17,324

$50,134

Four Years

Fall, Spring and Summer

 

Off-campus

$17,324

$35,114

Four Years

Fall, Spring and Summer

Marine Biology B.S. (Undergraduate)

On- campus

$17,324

$50,134

Four Years

Fall, Spring and Summer

 

Off- campus

$15,863

$35,114

Four Years

Fall, Spring and Summer

MBA

$913.08 per credit hour

$913.08 per credit hour

$913.08 per credit hour

18 months

Fall and Spring

Cybersecurity Intelligence and Information Security - M.S. (graduate)

On- campus

$15,864

$49,293

33 credits

Fall, Spring and Summer

 

Off- campus

$15,863

$19,924

33 credits

Fall, Spring and Summer

*Reflects standard tuition and fee rates: undergraduate - 30 credit hours; graduate - 18 credit hours.
**Other expenses - includes transportation and miscellaneous personal expenses (such as; laundry, toiletries, healthcare, clothing, entertainment, etc.).

Sprinkles

University of South Florida Admissions Details 

The USF requests that all students apply as early as possible. The institute allocates admissions on a rolling basis from late fall as soon as the application processes are complete, provided the University receives all documents.

Here's a list of dates and deadlines to help you plan accordingly:

For undergraduates:

  1. list items
    August 1: Applications Open for Summer and Fall
  2. list items
    November 1: Deadline for priority application (for the campus you desire)
  3. list items
    December 8: Admission decision starts
  4. list items
    January 15: Deadline for Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR) Priority Completion.
  5. list items
    January 15: Deadline for Scholarship Consideration.
  6. list items
    March 1: Deadline for final application.
  7. list items
    March 15: Final application completion deadline.
  8. list items
    May 15: Enrollment confirmation.

Admission applications for Spring start on May 1.

For graduates:

Specific priority deadlines for graduates vary from course to course for all three semesters: Fall, Spring, and Summer. However, the final university deadlines are as follows:

  1. list items
    Fall: June 1
  2. list items
    Spring: October 15
  3. list items
    Summer: February 15

Deadline Alert: Apply to USA Universities for 2024 - Start Your Application
 

Admission Requirements for International Students

Despite procuring admission at the University of South Florida is competitive, there's no barrier for talented individuals. The University perceives each student separately, considering their record, how rigorous the student's curriculum is, and test scores.

Here's a list of requirements for international students seeking first-year admission.

For undergraduates:

  1. list items
    You are a high school senior or high school graduate
  2. list items
    You will be considered for transfer admission if, following high school graduation, you have completed 12 or more credits of college courses.
  3. list items
    GPA, SAT, and ACT scores 
  4. list items
    You must meet the Foreign Language Entrance Requirement (FLENT).
  5. list items
    Official transcripts (translated by an authorised translator if in a non-English language)

For graduates:

  1. list items
    Bachelor or Graduate degree equivalent to U.S. standards. A 3-year degree with less than 120 hours may require evaluation from the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member to prove the equivalency.
  2. list items
    GPA scores
  3. list items
    All completed undergraduate and graduate coursework
  4. list items
    English Proficiency Test scores
  5. list items
    Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning, as well as higher degree and graduate certificates
  6. list items
    GRE and GMAT scores, not older than 5 years.

When assessing your application for admission, the institution takes into account several additional criteria in addition to your GPA, test results, and course requirements. Transform your grades for US universities! 

Step-by-Step Admission Process

You can apply through the university's online application or Common App. Here is a step-wise break-up of how to apply for admission.

  1. list items
    Apply online via the USF online application or the Common App.
  2. list items
    Pay your application fee ($30). 
  3. list items
    Fill out and submit the Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR).
  4. list items
    Fill in your high school courses and grades in the SSAR as listed in your transcript.
  5. list items
    Submit your SAT, ACT, or CLT scores
  6. list items
    Activate your NetID
  7. list items
    Familiarise yourself with the applicant portal
  8. list items
    Check residency status
  9. list items
    Submit final transcripts

Sprinkles

More Universities For You

Sprinkles

Exams Accepted by the University of South Florida

The university accepts English Proficiency Test, SAT, ACT and CLT scores from international students.

Test Graduate Minimum Score Undergraduate Minimum Score
TOEFL

79

79

IELTS

6.5

N.A.

PTE

53

N.A.

Duolingo

110

110

GRE

153

N.A.

SAT NA

24

SAT (Writing)

NA

25

SAT (Mathematics)

NA

24

ACT NA

17

ACT (Reading)

NA

19

ACT (Mathematics)

NA

19

  • list items
    SAT: minimum total score of 1100 (Writing=25, Critical Reading=24, Mathematics=24)
  • list items
    ACT: minimum total score of 22 (English=17, Reading=19, Mathematics=19)
Sprinkles

Tuition Fees & Other Expenses at University of South Florida

The tuition fees at USF depend on the semester, whether fall, spring, or summer. Let’s look at the fees and other expenses that you may have to bear while studying at USF.

Undergraduate students

Non-Florida Resident

On-campus

Off-campus with parents

Off-campus without parents

Tuition & Fees*

$17,324

$17,324

$17,324

Housing

$8,505

$7,392

$7,392

Food

$5,090

$4,778

$4,778

Books & Supplies

$770

$770

$770

Transportation

$2,100

$2,100

$2,100

Personal Allowances**

$2,750

$2,750

$2,750

Graduate students

Non-Florida Resident

On-campus

Off-campus with parents

Off-campus without parents

Tuition & Fees*

$15,864

$15,863

$15,863

Housing

$8,900

$970

$9,696

Food

$5,090

$4778

$4778

Books & Supplies

$600

$600

$600

Transportation

$2,100

$2100

$2100

Personal Allowances**

$2,750

$2750

$2750

*Standard tuition and fee rates: undergraduate - 30 credit hours; graduate - 18 credit hours.

**Other expenses - clothing, entertainment, healthcare, laundry, transportation

The actual charges may differ based on your enrollment, meal choices, and housing. Moreover, the above expenses are for the spring and fall semesters. Fees for the summer semester may vary. 


Learn about expenses covered under education loan

Sprinkles

Financial Aid & Scholarships by University of South Florida

The University of South Florida aims to help students by offering financial aid through various means. You must therefore activate your NetID, as the offer is sent to your USF email. Alternatively, you can log into the OASIS portal to check for any scholarship offer that has been generated for you. If you depend on FAFSA filing purposes, you will be informed via the FAFSA registered email about the offer.

Below are a few scholarships listed for international undergraduate students

Name of Scholarship Award/Benefits GPA and Test Scores

USF Green & Gold Presidential Award

$48,000 (up to $12,000 per year)* $300 per credit

4.0+ GPA (or its equivalent) and 1300+ SAT (Critical Reading & Math only) or 2000+ SAT (Critical Reading, Math & Writing) or 29+ ACT

USF Green & Gold Directors Award

$32,000 (up to $8,000 per year)* $200 per credit

3.8+ GPA (or its equivalent) and 1210+ SAT (Critical Reading & Math only) or 1800+ SAT (Critical Reading, Math & Writing) or 27+ ACT

Scholarships for international graduate students

Name of Scholarship Award/Benefits GPA and Test Scores

USF International Student Scholarship 

$48,000 (up to $12,000 per year)* $300 per credit

4.0+ GPA (or its equivalent) and 1300+ SAT (Critical Reading & Math only) or 2000+ SAT (Critical Reading, Math & Writing) or 29+ ACT

USF Green & Gold Directors Award

$1,000 ($500 per year)*

Cumulative post-secondary GPA of 3.5 or higher with a minimum of 60 transferable credit hours


Other options to fund your education are grants, loans, or work-study programmes. Grants are those funds that the federal or state government or any organisation sponsors for the deserving candidate. Work-study programmes involve taking up an on-campus job and earning while you learn at the college.

Indian students can take advantage of the domestic finance options available. GyanDhan offers tailor-made loans suitable for your credibility and talent. We are associated with top Indian banks to simplify your education loan process and help you seamlessly procure the finances to ensure you don’t miss any opportunities towards the career you deserve.

Sprinkles

Jobs & Placement Opportunities by University of South Florida

According to a report USF supported 68,704 jobs in fiscal 2019-20. The employment was high-skilled with high wages in segments of financial services, information technology, and life sciences.

For students to achieve success, the university runs the Centre for Career and Professional Development programme. The programme offers online and in-person career training, job exploration, and internship opportunities for USF students. In addition, the centre conducts career fairs, workshops, and employee-employer meetings that create probable opportunities. Students can also use the popular Handshake app to search for decent opportunities.

Salaries earned by the University of South Florida are as follows:

Job Title Range Average

Software Engineer

$66k - $123k

$92,231

Data Analyst

$51k - $80k

$64,447

Project Manager, (Unspecified Type / General)

$45k - $106k

$73,346

Mechanical Engineer

$54k - $98k

$75,121

Project Engineer

$60k - $132k

$66,126

Senior Software Engineer

$90k - $149k

$117,842

Marketing Manager

$43k - $90k

$63,170

See what you could earn in the future with GyanDhan’s Future Earnings Estimator
 

Sprinkles

Accommodation by University of South Florida

All three campuses, Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee offer on-campus housing facilities. The Tampa campus features a variety of housing options, such as apartment, traditional, or suite styles.


Tampa Campus Housing Rates (Fall 2024-Spring 2025)

Style Monthly Semester Annual

Traditional

$802 to $1441

$3,208 to $5,763

$6,416 to $8,544

Suite

$1,019 to $1,602

$4,076 to $6,406

$8,152 to $12,812

Apartment

$1,214 to $1,345

$4,857 to $5,380

$9,714 to $10,760

St. Petersburg Housing Rates (Fall 2024-Spring 2025)

Style Monthly Semester Annual

Traditional

$763 to $1441

$3,054 to $4,708

$6,107 to $9,415

Suite

$763 to $1,220

$3,054 to $4,881

$6,107 to $9,762

Apartment

$763 to $1,220

$4,708 to $4,881

$6,107 to $9,762

Sarasota-Manatee Housing Rates (Fall 2024-Spring 2025)

Style Monthly Semester Annual

Suite

$1,297 to $1,751

$5,188 to $7,004

$10,376 to $14,008

Apartment

$ $1,505 to $1,648

$6,020 to $6,592

$12,040 to $13,184

Sprinkles

University of South Florida Notable Alumni

The University of Florida carries a great legacy of alumni, who shaped the world with their exemplary talent. Here’s a list of some of the notable alumni

Name Profession Achievements

Alan Boss

United States astrophysicist and planetary scientist.

Received NASA Group Achievement Award in 2008 for his role in the Astrobiology Roadmap

Saraju Mohanty

Professor, Author, Scientist, Editor, Computer Engineer

  • list items
    IEEE-CS-TCVLSI Distinguished Leadership Award in 2018
  • list items
    Glorious India Award in 2017
  • list items
    Society for Technical Communication's (STC) Award of Merit in 2017

David Mearns

Marine scientist

  • list items
    2023: Certificate of Achievement, Royal Institute of Navigation
  • list items
    2019: Lowell Thomas Award, The Explorers Club
  • list items
    2018: Mountbatten Best Book Award for The Shipwreck Hunter


The University of South Florida’s vision is to empower students with education to tackle modern-day problems. Despite being young, the University has positioned itself as one of the leading educational organisations in the world. It not only imparts education but also plays a vital role in the state’s economy by generating jobs and supporting employment in various sectors. 

Talented and deserving Indian students can benefit by applying for up-to-date courses at the USF. It will help them procure leadership positions and an opportunity to shape the world. The University of South Florida fees for Indian students may be daunting, but with Gyandhan, you can bring your dreams to reality.

Gyandhan, an education finance company, supports all deserving and talented scholars in fulfilling their dreams. It helps the students reach out to the education programme they desire. It simplifies, streamlines, and accelerates the entire process of raising funds. To help you develop a successful career, the finance company provides credit card solutions, foreign education loans, expert study abroad advice, exam preparation assistance, forex services, and other services and educational materials.

Sprinkles

Frequently Asked Questions

 
What is the history and mission of the University of South Florida (USF)?
 

The establishment date of the University of South Florida is 1956. Over the years, it has grown into a global education hub. The mission of the university is to conduct research, offer scholarships, and provide a world-class educational experience to nurture intellectual quests and shape the future of students.

What are the key highlights and recognitions of the University of South Florida?
 

USF is a public university located in Tampa, Florida, with a motto of "Student success and faculty excellence. A prosperous and sustainable future." It boasts an acceptance rate of 44% and a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:22. Notable rankings include being #1 in US universities for commitment to industry, innovation, and infrastructure, as well as being #16 among US public universities for social mobility.

What programmes does the University of South Florida offer?
 

USF offers more than 240 undergraduate majors and degree programmes, including graduate, specialist, doctoral, and doctor of medicine programmes. It hosts 14 colleges, each offering a variety of degree and speciality programmes, with opportunities for undergraduates to engage in research.

How can I apply for admission to the University of South Florida?
 

Admission to USF is competitive, but the university evaluates each applicant individually based on their academic record, curriculum rigour, and test scores. International students must meet specific requirements, including submitting high school transcripts, English proficiency test scores, and SAT, ACT, CLT, and GRE scores.

What financial aid is available at the University of South Florida?
 

USF offers various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programmes. 

What are the accommodation options at the University of South Florida?
 

The university provides on-campus housing at its Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee campuses, with different housing styles and rates available for students to choose from.

 
Get Admission Help
%>