About

Public

University Type

563

QS Global Rank

$35,303

Average Living Expenses

The University of South Florida (USF) is a public research university with its main campus in Tampa, Florida, and other campuses in St. Petersburg and Sarasota. It is one of 12 members of the State University System of Florida. University of South Florida is home to 14 colleges, offering more than 240 undergraduate, graduate, specialist, and doctoral-level degree programs. University of South Florida is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

What is the acceptance rate of the University of South Florida?

The University of South Florida acceptance rate is 44%.

University of South Florida is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is designated by the Florida Board of Governors as one of three Preeminent State Research Universities. University of South Florida is also a member of the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and the Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) federal designations.

University of South Florida is a large and diverse university, with over 50,000 students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and over 145 countries. The university is committed to providing access and opportunity for all students, regardless of their background. University of South Florida offers a variety of financial aid programs to help students afford their education.University of South Florida is a research-intensive university, with a strong commitment to discovery and innovation. The university's research expenditures exceed $500 million annually, and University of South Florida faculty have published over 100,000 scholarly articles in top academic journals. University of South Florida's research has significantly impacted the Tampa Bay region and the state of Florida.

Top Reasons to Study in the University of South Florida

  • Academic excellence: University of South Florida is a top-ranked public university committed to excellence. It is ranked #60 in the National Universities category by U.S. News & World Report.
  • Diversity: University of South Florida is a diverse and inclusive community with students worldwide. Over 50% of the student body is from minority groups.
  • Research: University of South Florida is a research-intensive university with a strong track record of innovation. It is ranked #110 in research expenditures among public universities by the National Science Foundation.
  • Student life: University of South Florida has a vibrant and active student life with various clubs, organizations, and activities. There are over 700 student organizations on campus, and the university offers a variety of intramural and club sports.
  • Location: University of South Florida is in the Tampa Bay region, a vibrant and growing metropolitan area. The Tampa Bay area is home to many Fortune 500 companies and is a popular tourist destination.

Courses

Cost of Studying at University of South Florida

Average tuition fee

Economical

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5000+ Students

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3000+ Cr

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Living expenses

Average living expenses (Bachelors)

$36,539

Average living expenses (Masters)

$35,303

Average on-campus living expenses

$13,595

Average off-campus living expenses

$12,170

Admissions at The University of South Florida

Avg acceptance rate (Bachelors)

43%

Application Fee

$30 - $145


How to Apply at University of South Florida

There are two ways to apply to the University of South Florida (USF):

  • Submit Application:
    • Online application: You can apply online through the University of South Florida Admissions website. The online application is the most convenient and efficient way to apply.
    • Common App: You can also apply to University of South Florida through the Common App. The Common App is a centralized application that allows you to apply to multiple universities with a single application.
  • Pay Your Application Fee: Pay the nonrefundable $30 (2,457 INR) application fee. 
  • Submit Official Transcripts
  • Submit Official SAT or ACT Scores
  • Send Official TOEFL or Duolingo Scores 
  • Letters of recommendation (LOR)
  • Personal statement/essay

 


Documents Required to Apply to University of South Florida

  • Submit Official Transcripts

Send original or certified copies of academic transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, diplomas or certificates, national standardized examination results, or other academic coursework to University of South Florida.

  • Include a certified English translation for all documents not written in English. If you need assistance translating your documents into English, we recommend using the American Translators Association to find a certified translator.
  • We can accept digital copies of these secondary and post-secondary school records emailed directly from an appropriate official at your school to international@usf.edu. Alternatively, mail your transcripts via post to:
    • University of South Florida
    • Office of Admissions
    • 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 1036
    • Tampa, FL 33620
    • United States 

If you have completed all 4 years of high school in the U.S., you must submit your coursework and grades via the Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR) website. You must submit your official transcripts if you have attended any overseas high school.

  • Submit Official SAT or ACT Scores

 

If you are submitting ACT scores, you must submit scores for the Writing section, per Florida Board of Governors requirements. 

  • SAT Code for University of South Florida: 5828
  • ACT Code for University of South Florida: 0761

Students are only required to submit either SAT or ACT scores, but they are encouraged to submit both. University of South Florida superstores, meaning we consider your highest submitted section scores across all SAT and ACT test dates. Final admission decisions are made using only your highest cumulative scores. University of South Florida will not accept scores from the Common App portal, your guidance counselor, or a PDF screenshot. Scores must come directly from SAT or ACT testing services.

  • Send Official TOEFL or Duolingo Scores 

This step is only required for students from non-English speaking countries. Scores are valid for two years from the original date of examination.

  • Request official TOEFL scores directly from ETS. Our school code is 5828.
  • Request official Duolingo scores directly from the testing agency.

If these English-proficiency tests are required, applicants must attain the following minimum scores: 

  • TOEFL – 79
  • Duolingo – 110
  • SAT – 24 (Reading), 25 (Writing and Language)
  • ACT – 17 (English), 19 (Reading)

The English proficiency test requirement may be waived if the applicant has successfully met another proof of English proficiency requirement outlined in the University of South Florida academic catalog.

  • Letters of recommendation: You will need to submit two letters of recommendation.
  • Personal statement: You must write a personal statement telling the admissions committee about yourself and why you want to attend University of South Florida.

Exams Accepted By University of South Florida

The University of South Florida (USF) accepts the following exams for admission:

  • SAT: The SAT is a standardized test used for college admissions. University of South Florida requires that all applicants submit their SAT scores.
  • ACT: The ACT is another standardized test used for college admissions. University of South Florida accepts ACT scores as well.
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: The IB Diploma is a rigorous academic program at some high schools. University of South Florida accepts IB Diploma scores as well.
  • University of South Florida does not require applicants to submit an SAT or ACT score. However, submitting test scores can help your application stand out.
  • If you are an international student, you may also be required to submit English proficiency test scores. USF accepts the following English proficiency exams:
    • IELTS: The IELTS is a standardized test of English language proficiency.
    • TOEFL: The TOEFL is another standardized test of English language proficiency.
    • PTE Academic: The PTE Academic is a computer-based English language proficiency test.

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Rankings for The University of South Florida

US News Ranking

#89

US World and News Report

The World University Rankings

#201-250

The World University Rankings

QS World University Rankings

#563

QS World University Rankings


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Students University of South Florida

3,279

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1,919

Yocketers admitted

9,900

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International Students

% of international students in the university

11.8

Total International Students in the university

5852


Alumni at University of South Florida

Some notable alumni of the University of South Florida:

  • Business:
    • Jim Atchison, President and CEO of SeaWorld Entertainment
    • Joie Chitwood III, President, and COO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway
    • Aaron Fechter, founder of Creative Engineering Inc., a developer of animatronics for theme parks
    • George Gatewood, M.A., former president of the University of Central Florida
    • David Mearns, Director, Blue Water Recoveries; Guinness World Record holder for deepest shipwreck ever found
  • Academics:
    • Douglas J. Jerolmack, professor of anthropology at New York University
    • Alan Boss, astrophysicist and chair of multiple International Astronomical Union and NASA grounds
    • Jeff Bradstreet, an autism researcher
    • Julia R. Heiman, professor of psychology at the University of Miami
    • Michele Elliott, author, psychologist, and founder of child protection charity Kidscape
    • Roberto González Echevarría, Sterling Professor of Hispanic and Comparative Literatures, Yale University
  • Entertainment, journalism, and literature:
    • Guy Babylon, musician, keyboardist/composer, noted for his work with Elton John
    • Joe Barresi, record engineer
    • James Carlos Blake, novelist, winner of the LA Times Book Prize
    • Bruce G. Hallenbeck, journalist, and author
    • Nadine Smith, Executive Director, Equality Florida

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Reviews for University of South Florida

Campus life

Number of campuses the university has
3

Campus locations
Florida

View on Google Earth


Transportation in the city

There are many ways to get around the City of Tampa, where the University of South Florida is located. Here are a few options:

  • Public transportation: The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) provides bus service throughout Tampa Bay. Several HART bus stops are located near the University of South Florida campus.
  • Bicycle: The University of South Florida campus has a bike share program that allows students, faculty, and staff to rent bicycles for a fee. There are also several bike racks located throughout campus.
  • Car: The University of South Florida campus is located near several major highways, making it easy to get around by car. However, parking on campus can be limited, so carpooling or taking public transportation, if possible, is recommended.
  • Ride-sharing: Several ride-sharing services are available in the Tampa Bay area, such as Uber and Lyft. These services can be a convenient way to get around, especially if traveling with a group.

Services offered by the university

The University of South Florida (USF) offers its students, faculty, and staff a wide range of services. These services include:

  • Academic support: University of South Florida's academic support services are available to all students, regardless of their academic level. These services can help students with various academic tasks, such as writing papers, solving math problems, and preparing for exams.
  • Career services: University of South Florida's career services are available to all undergraduate and graduate students. These services can help students with career-related tasks, such as finding jobs, writing resumes, and preparing for interviews.
  • Health and wellness: University of South Florida's health and wellness services are available to all students, faculty, and staff. These services include a fitness center, a student health center, and counseling services. The fitness center is open to students, faculty, and staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The student health center provides students with medical, dental, and vision care. The counseling services offer individual and group counseling for students, faculty, and staff..
  • Financial aid: University of South Florida offers a variety of financial aid options to help students pay for their education. These options include scholarships, grants, and loans. The University of South Florida Office of Financial Aid can help students apply for financial aid and find the best options for their needs.
  • Student life: University of South Florida has a vibrant student life that includes a variety of clubs, organizations, and activities. These activities can help students make friends, get involved on campus, and have fun. The University of South Florida Student Activities Center (SAC) is a great place to explore student life. The SAC houses a variety of clubs and organizations, as well as a game room, a bowling alley, and a movie theater.

Student life at University of South Florida

Some of the things that students can do for student life at University of South Florida:

  • Get involved in student organizations: University of South Florida has over 700 student organizations, so there will surely be something for everyone. From academic clubs to fraternities and sororities, there is an opportunity for students to get involved and meet new people.
  • Attend sporting events: University of South Florida is a Division I school, so there are plenty of opportunities to cheer on the Bulls. The men's and women's basketball teams are particularly popular, and the football team has increased recently.
  • Take advantage of the many on-campus resources: University of South Florida has a state-of-the-art recreation center, a library with over 2 million volumes, and various other resources students can use to stay healthy, learn, and have fun.
  • Explore the Tampa Bay area: Tampa is a vibrant city with much to offer. Students can visit the beach, go hiking in the nearby hills, or take a day trip to one of the many amusement parks in the area.

On campus accomodation at University of South Florida

The University of South Florida offers several on-campus accommodation options for students, including traditional residence halls, suite-style residence halls, and apartments. The traditional residence halls are typically double occupancy rooms with communal bathrooms, while the suite-style residence halls offer private or semi-private bathrooms and may include a shared living area. The apartments are typically fully furnished and offer a kitchen, living area, and private bedrooms.
 
Students who are interested in on-campus accommodation should apply through the University Housing website, where they can select their preferred housing options and submit their application. The University of South Florida also offers a variety of meal plans, which are required for students living in residence halls.
 
In addition to the housing options, the University of South Florida provides several amenities and services for on-campus residents, including laundry facilities, study lounges, fitness centers, and community events. The on-campus housing staff is available to assist students with any questions or concerns they may have during their stay.
 
It is important to note that the availability of on-campus accommodation is limited and not guaranteed for all students. Therefore, students are encouraged to apply for on-campus housing as early as possible to increase their chances of securing a spot.

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FAQ

1. What are the world rankings of the University of South Florida?

The University of South Florida maintains a consistent presence among the world's top-ranked universities. In the most recent updates, THE (Times Higher Education) University Ranking 2023 positioned USF between 201 and 250 globally. Additionally, according to the US News & World Report Global Universities Rankings 2023, the University of South Florida secured the 2023rd spot worldwide.

2. What are the national rankings of the University of South Florida?

The University of South Florida stands as a premier institution in American higher education, consistently recognized among the nation's finest universities. In THE (Times Higher Education) University Ranking 2023, USF secured a position between 201-250, solidifying its place among the top-tier institutions nationwide. Contrarily, the QS World University Ranking 2024 positioned the university within the range of 551-600.

3. How has the University of South Florida fared in the US News & World Report Global Universities rankings?

The University of South Florida maintains a consistent presence among the world's leading universities. According to THE (Times Higher Education) University Ranking 2024, it lies in the range of  201-250. In the QS World University Ranking, USF ranks 563 globally and 97 according to US Global.