University of South Florida USF: the complete school report for parents

What does University of South Florida USF actually weigh in admissions?

University of South Florida USF rates 3 of the 18 factors "Very Important": course rigor, GPA, test scores. It does not consider 14 of them at all. Every college reports these weights in section C7 of its Common Data Set; below is University of South Florida USF's 2025-2026 answer, read from the grid in its own file.

What GPA do admitted students actually have?

62% of enrolled students had a 4.0 GPA or above. The average was 4.09 on a 4 scale, reported for 99.9% of the entering class. This is the school’s own distribution, not an estimate from its admit rate.

Is transferring in easier than applying as a freshman?

University of South Florida USF admitted 53.1% of 11,480 transfer applicants, against 40.7% of first-year applicants. The two routes are similarly competitive here. The minimum college GPA considered is 2.

When do we apply, and does timing change the odds?

University of South Florida USF offers neither Early Decision nor Early Action, so there is no early round to strategize about and every applicant is read in one pool.

What does my child need to take in high school?

University of South Florida USF requires 18 academic units and recommends 18. A college-preparatory program is recommended. A GED is accepted.

What will University of South Florida USF actually cost us?

Families pay an average of $9,812 a year at University of South Florida USF after grants and scholarships, against a published in-state tuition of $4,559. The published price is not what most families pay. The university reports meeting 70% of demonstrated need on average. It also gave 1,070 merit awards averaging $3,422 to first-years with no demonstrated need.

What families at each income level actually paid:

32% of University of South Florida USF graduates borrow, leaving with an average of $20,774 in debt, which the federal data puts at about $191 a month in repayment. University of South Florida USF’s net price calculator gives your own figure.

Does a degree from University of South Florida USF pay off?

Graduates earn a median $57,743 ten years after entering, and $48,328 at six years. 81% out-earn a typical high school graduate within six years. 57% are actively paying down their loans three years in.

Four-year net cost against that earnings premium:

A scale, not a forecast: it assumes aid and earnings hold steady.

$99,737 to $35,949, depending on the major. Median earnings five years out at University of South Florida USF:

College Scorecard, by field of study; highest and lowest shown.

Will my child actually graduate?

91% of first-years return for a second year. 66% graduate within four years and 78% within six (2019 cohort). The rate holds up across income: 77.0% of Pell-grant recipients graduate within six years against 79.0% of everyone else, a gap of 2.0 points.

How big are the classes?

37% of class sections have fewer than 20 students, while 5% have 100 or more. The student-faculty ratio is 22:1, and 73% of faculty are full-time. Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

What is life at University of South Florida USF like?

39,093 undergraduates, 13.48% of first-years from out of state. 55.51% of freshmen live in university housing, falling to 19.34% across all undergraduates. Greek life is small: 1.95% of men join a fraternity and 3.9% of women a sorority. 36% of students are the first in their family to attend college, and the median family income is $58,397.

What this means for your student

• Course rigor is rated Very Important here, so the senior-year schedule should hold its AP, IB or honors depth rather than lighten. University of South Florida USF recommends 18 academic units.
• 62% of enrolled students are at a 4.0 GPA or above, averaging 4.09. Below that line the rest of the application has to carry real weight.
• University of South Florida USF rates test scores Very Important, so a score at or above its middle-50 range is close to expected rather than optional.
• Skip demonstrated-interest tactics here. Visits and emails are not tracked, so save that effort for schools where they count.
• Its highest-earning major returns $99,737 five years out against $35,949 at the other end, a gap wider than the one between most schools.
• See where your student actually stands: calculate their GPA and compare it against the distribution above.

Common questions about University of South Florida USF

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