University of South Florida

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

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

Moreover, here are some additional recognitions:

• In 2022, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) elected six USF faculty members as Fellows.
• USF was ranked among the top 50 best-value colleges in 2021 by Princeton Review, noted for its affordable, high-quality education.
• 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).

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. 

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.

*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.).

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. August 1: Applications Open for Summer and Fall
2. November 1: Deadline for priority application (for the campus you desire)
3. December 8: Admission decision starts
4. January 15: Deadline for Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR) Priority Completion.
5. January 15: Deadline for Scholarship Consideration.
6. March 1: Deadline for final application.
7. March 15: Final application completion deadline.
8. 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. Fall: June 1
2. Spring: October 15
3. 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. You are a high school senior or high school graduate
2. You will be considered for transfer admission if, following high school graduation, you have completed 12 or more credits of college courses.
3. GPA, SAT, and ACT scores 
4. You must meet the Foreign Language Entrance Requirement (FLENT).
5. Official transcripts (translated by an authorised translator if in a non-English language)

For graduates:

1. 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. GPA scores
3. All completed undergraduate and graduate coursework
4. English Proficiency Test scores
5. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning, as well as higher degree and graduate certificates
6. 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. Apply online via the USF online application or the Common App.
2. Pay your application fee ($30). 
3. Fill out and submit the Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR).
4. Fill in your high school courses and grades in the SSAR as listed in your transcript.
5. Submit your SAT, ACT, or CLT scores
6. Activate your NetID
7. Familiarise yourself with the applicant portal
8. Check residency status
9. Submit final transcripts

More Universities For You

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

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

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

Graduate students

*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

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

Scholarships for international graduate students

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.

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:

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

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)

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

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

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

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.