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University of South Florida-Tampa

8.1(9)
VerifiedPublicEstd. 1956
Founded
1956
Type
Public
University Guide

About University of South Florida-Tampa

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

University of South Florida, also known as USF is a public research university in Tampa, Florida, established in 1956. USF is the 4th largest research university in USA. University of South Florida campuses are home to around 50,000 students including over 5,000 international students hailing from 146 countries. Students are offered over 200 undergraduate courses and 150 graduate courses in University of South Florida Tampa.

Prospective undergraduate applicants need a GPA of 4.0 – 4.5 in high school certificate for admission to University of South Florida. Graduate program applicants must display a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (85%). International students can estimate to spend between 15,864 to 17,324 USD (13.01 to 14.21 lakhs INR) in tuition fees for University of South Florida. Graduates of the university annually earn an average salary of 71,000 USD per annum (58.25 lakhs INR).

Also Check: University of South Florida Students Reviews and Ratings

Table of Contents

  1. USF Programs
  2. USF Ranking
  3. USF Campus
  4. USF Admissions
  5. USF Fees
  6. USF Scholarships
  7. USF Placement
  8. USF Alumni
  9. USF FAQs

University of South Florida Courses

USF offers 200 undergraduate programs and over 150 graduate degree programs to its students in the 14 colleges. Certificate programs are also offered. Students can choose from masters, specialist, doctoral, certificate (non-degree) and online programs in University of South Florida.

The university has an annual research budget of $1.8 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion, making it one of the research powerhouses in USA. Check out some of the top courses in USF for international students:

University of South Florida Top Programs

Top Programs Total Annual Fees (INR) Total Annual Fees
Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] ₹ 1604645 USD 19,215
Master of Science [M.S], Engineering Management ₹ 1604645 USD 19,215
Master of Science [M.S], Management ₹ 1604645 USD 19,215
Master of Science [M.S], Finance ₹ 1604645 USD 19,215
Master of Business Administration [M.B.A], Management Information Systems ₹ 1604645 USD 19,215
Master of Accounting [M.Acc] ₹ 1604645 USD 19,215
Bachelor of Science [B.S], Global Business ₹ 1740849 USD 20,846
Bachelor of Science [B.S], Accounting ₹ 1740849 USD 20,846

University of South Florida Rankings

In 2025, the University of South Florida (USF) Tampa ranks #91 nationally among all universities, #45 among public universities, and #621-630 globally according to QS World University Rankings. Check out the trends of USF Tampa rankings according to several esteemed ranking agencies, here:

Ranking Type 2025 Rank 2024 Rank 2023 Rank 2022 Rank
QS World University Rankings #373 #=563 #601-650 #581-590
U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities #91 $89 #317 #298
THE World University Rankings #351 #251 #201-250 #201-250
ARWU Rankings #201-300 #301 #201-300 #201-300

Also Check: University of South Florida (Tampa) vs University of Tampa


University of South Florida Campus

The USF Tampa campus is classified as Doctoral University for its Highest Research Activity rankings.The University of South Florida (USF) Tampa campus, a leading metropolitan university, offers a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, including nationally recognized programs in areas like psychology, education, and engineering, with a focus on research and community engagement.

University of South Florida Student Life

  • University of South Florida Tampa campus includes an official campus bookstore, parking and transportation services for commuters.
  • The campus exhibits USF post office, USF print centre, childcare services, dining facilities (in sidewalk cafes and dining halls), health services including counselling services and much more.
  • USF campus has more than 600 student organizations including international societies, academic groups, and honor societies. The Marshall Student Centre is the heart of student activities at the institute. 
  • Hundreds of events are organized on campus throughout the year. These events are based on various themes such as art and music, athletics, culture, fundraisers, social and spiritual.
  • The events often provide free food, free gifts, and other perks.

University of South Florida Admissions

Prospective students planning to take admission to University of South Florida are required to submit various additional requirements like proficiency in English, and a Statement of Purpose among others. Admission details for USF are as follows:

University of South Florida PG Admissions

Category PG Admission Requirements
Application Portal Online Application
Application Fee 30 USD (2,577 INR)
Academic Requirements Bachelor’s degree
GPA or Aggregate 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (85%)
English Proficiency Requirements TOEFL iBT: 79 | IELTS: 6.5 | PTE: 53 | Duolingo: 110
Standardized Test Score GMAT: 550 | GRE: 321
SOP/LOR Letters of Recommendation | Essay or Statement of Purpose

University of South Florida UG Admissions

Category UG Admission Requirements
Application Portal Online Application | Common App
Application Fee 30 USD (2,577 INR)
Academic Requirements High school transcripts | Completion of 12-13 years of study
GPA or Aggregate 4.0 to 4.5 (average)
English Proficiency Requirements TOEFL iBT: 79 | IELTS: 6.5 | Duolingo: 110
Standardized Test Score SAT: 1100 | ACT: 22
SOP/LOR Letters of Reference | Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement
Additional Requirements Interview

University of South Florida Fees

University of South Florida offers 312 courses across various disciplines for international students. The PG tuition fees for Indian students range from USD 16583 (₹1420002) to USD 19215 (₹1645380).

Top Courses Fees Comparison

The tuition fee 2024 for M.S Computer Science at University of South Florida was USD 13219 (₹1131943). In 2023, the fee was USD 15864 (₹1358434). The fee has decreased by USD 2645 (₹226491).

  • Similarly, tuition fee for M.S Cybersecurity in 2024 was USD 15863 (₹1358349), compared to USD 15864 (₹1358434) in 2023, reflecting a drop of USD 1 (₹85).
  • The 2024 fee for M.S Electrical Engineering at University of South Florida was USD 15863 (₹1358349). In 2023, the fee was USD 15864 (₹1358434). Compared to the previous year, fee has decreased by USD 1 (₹85).

The average cost to study in University of South Florida Tampa includes tuition fees, living costs and more. The estimated cost for international students is tabulated below:

Type of Expense Annual Undergraduate Costs (USD) Annual Graduate Costs (USD)
Tuition & Other Fees 17,324 15,864 (based on 18 credits – 9 credits per semester)
Housing and Meals 12,622 14,148
Health Insurance 3,062 3,062
Books and Supplies 770 600
Miscellaneous Expenses 4,850 4,850
Total 38,628 38,524

The cost of living for students at University of South Florida in Tampa, USA is around USD 20296 (₹1737947)/year covering accommodation, food, transport, and personal expenses.

University of South Florida Cost Comparison

University Tuition Fee (USD) Equivalent Tuition Fee (INR)
University of South Florida Tampa 15,864 to 17,324 13.01 to 14.21 lakhs
University of California Irvine 33,811.06 to 47,548.86 27.84 to 39.15 lakhs
University of California Los Angeles 33,238 27.36 lakhs

University of South Florida Scholarships

USF Tampa scholarships are only available for students starting in the Fall Semester. International freshman and transfer students at USF are eligible for merit-based scholarships to study in USA. Students can only accept the scholarship with the highest award and cannot accept multiple awards. Academic requirements for these awards include high GPA scores and high scores in the SAT/ACT exams. The scholarships for freshmen are renewable up to a period of 4 years. Some of the University of South Florida scholarships for international students are tabulated below:

Scholarship Academic Requirements Award Details
USF Green & Gold Presidential Award 3.90+ GPA | 1340+ SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing & Math only) or 29+ ACT 48,000 USD (12,000 USD per year)
USF Green & Gold Directors Award 3.70+ GPA | 1280+ SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing & Math only) or 27+ ACT 36,000 USD (9,000 USD per year)
USF Green & Gold Scholars Award 3.50+ GPA | 1210+ SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing & Math only) or 25+ ACT 24,000 USD (6,000 USD per year)
USF International Student Scholarship 3.30+ GPA | 1180+ SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing & Math only) or 24+ ACT 4,000 USD (1,000 USD per year)

Check out some of the popular scholarships to study in USA for international students:

Scholarships in USA Type Eligibility Award Amount
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships Merit-Based A first-class undergraduate degree. Candidate should be over the age of 30 years. USD 100,000
Fulbright-Nehru Masters Fellowships Merit-Based Minimum 55% or higher in an UG. IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent. Variable
National Overseas Scholarship Need-Based Total family income should not exceed INR 6,00,000. Minimum 55% or it's equivalent. USD 15,400
Mahindra Finance KCMET Scholarship Need-Based For girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. First Class degree or equivalent. USD 5,542
#YouAreWelcomeHere Tuition Fee Waiver Write an essay of 500-1000 words or record a video of 2-5 minutes. Variable

University of South Florida Placements

University of South Florida has an employment rate of over 90%. USF has many career service programs in place including the My Plan + My Pathways program which provides personalized assistance to students to make informed career choices. These services and programs help the students get hands-on work experience, training, and skill development. These are called My Plan programs, or My Pathway. 

USF Muma College of Business is the top b-school in the state in terms of employment. Over 90% of USF business students who received job offers right after graduating had prior internship and work experience.

Check out some of the popular job sectors in USA pursued by University of South Florida graduates and their respective average salaries:

Profession Average Annual Salary (USD) Equivalent Salary for Indians (INR)
Software Engineer 86,500 70.96 lakhs
Project Engineer 64,400 52.83 lakhs
Data Analyst 63,600 52.17 lakhs
Mechanical Engineer 70,300 57.67 lakhs
Marketing Manager 61,700 50.61 lakhs
Project Manager 79,400 65.13 lakhs

University of South Florida, ranked among the top 400 universities in the world is considered among the elite research universities in the world. The living-learning opportunity on campus enriches the bond between international students. International students should consider both the academic, and professional options offered by the public university while choosing it to study in USA.

FAQs

Ques. Where does the University of South Florida rank?

Ans. University of South Florida ranks among the top 600 universities in the world. The university has climbed up in the QS World University Rankings, 2025 to #373 from #601-650 rank in 2024.

Ques. What GPA is required to get into University of South Florida?

Ans. For admission to University of South Florida, students need a minimum GPA of 4.0 to 4.5 in high school certificate for undergraduate programs and 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (85%) for admission to the graduate programs.

Ques. What is the application fee of University of South Florida?

Ans. University of South Florida charges 30 USD (2,465 INR) as a non-refundable application fee.

Ques. What is the average tuition fee for international students?

Ans. The tuition fee for undergraduate courses offered at the University of South Florida is 17,324 USD (14.21 lakhs INR) and for graduate programs is 15,864 USD (13.01 lakhs INR).

Ques. Does University of South Florida offer scholarships to international students?

Ans. Yes. University of South Florida offers merit-based scholarships to international students with a high school GPA above 3.3/4 (86%). Students can avail up to 48,000 USD in total through University of South Florida scholarships.

Ques. What is the accommodation capacity of University of South Florida?

Ans. University of South Florida can accommodate nearly 5,500 students on campus. The university provides campus living options in its traditional style, apartment and suite-style accommodation facilities.

Ques. How much does USF graduates earn annually?

Ans. Graduates of University of South Florida reportedly secure an annual salary of 71,000 USD (58.25 lakhs INR).

Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

226

Fee from

₹15,52,666.29

Exams

IELTS · TOEFL

Showing 5 of 100 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 16.2 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 17,324 /Yr
Estimated Total₹2026621
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

University of South Florida admissions are offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer intakes, with Fall being the main intake for the most program options. For Fall 2025, applications can be submitted through the USF portal or the Common App starting August 1, 2025. Popular programs of University of South Florida among Indian students include MS in Computer Science, Public Health, Business Analytics, Management, and the Evening MBA in Digital Marketing and Finance. These graduate programs have a final application deadline of up to June 1 for the following Fall intake.

The USF acceptance rate is 43% overall, but international students had a 90% acceptance rate in Fall 2024. To get into this university, prospective graduate Indian students need a bachelor’s degree with 3.0 -- 3.5 GPA, and undergraduate students need a Higher Secondary Certificate with good grades. They also must have any of the English proficiency scores: IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 79 / PTE 53 / DET 110.

USF reviews applications on a rolling basis, so early submission increases your chances of getting admission and scholarships.

Read More: University of South Florida Review and Ratings


University of South Florida Admissions Deadlines

The Fall 2025 intake is the upcoming intake for international undergraduate students at USF. Students can apply using the university application or the Common Application, which opens on August 1, 2025. Check out the University of South Florida admissions deadlines in the table below.

Event Application Deadline
Priority Application Deadline November 8, 2025
Priority Supporting Documents Deadline November 15, 2025
Priority Decision Release Day December 10, 2025
Application Deadline for Scholarship Consideration January 15, 2026
Final Application Deadline March 1, 2026
Final Supporting Documents Deadline March 15, 2026
Confirm Enrollment (200 USD Deposit Deadline) May 1, 2026

University of South Florida Graduate Application Deadlines

The graduate programs at USF have varying deadlines depending on the program/ department. Some of the graduate programs have a final application deadline of up to June 1 for the following Fall intake. Here are the application deadlines of some of the top graduate programs of the University of South Florida.

Programs Fall Intake Deadline Spring Intake Deadline Summer Intake Deadline
MS in Computer Science January 15, 2026 September 1, 2025 Not offered
Master of Public Health May 1, 2026 Not offered Not offered
MS in Business Analytics and Information Systems June 1, 2026 October 15, 2025 February 15, 2026
MBA in Digital Marketing June 1, 2026 Not offered Not offered
MS in Management June 1, 2026 October 15, 2025 Not offered
MS in Hospitality Management June 1, 2026 October 15, 2025 Not offered
MS in Finance June 1, 2026 October 15, 2025 February 15, 2026
MBA June 1, 2026 Not offered Not offered
Master of Accounting June 1, 2026 October 15, 2025 February 15, 2026

Note: If your desired program is not listed here, contact your department for the specific USF application deadline or visit USF courses and fees.


University of South Florida MBA Admissions

The University of South Florida offers a professional Evening MBA through its Tampa Campus. Taught by the Muma College of Business, the program is designed for working professionals, full-time international students, with courses available in 1-week, 4-week, 8-week, and 12-week formats. The USF MBA program offers 12 concentrations for students to choose from. Digital Marketing, Business Analytics, Finance are among the most popular ones. The total tuition fee for the MBA program is around 32,000 USD. University of South Florida admission requirements for the MBA program are as follows:

USF Admissions Portal: Online

University of South Florida Application Fee: 30 USD

  • US equivalent bachelor’s degree with 3.3 GPA
  • Academic transcripts of all institutions attended
  • Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience
  • Strong GMAT/ GRE scores
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume
  • 3 reference letters (at least one must be from a professional reference)

University of South Florida Graduate Admissions

The University of South Florida offers over 150 degree programs at the graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, as well as certificate (non-degree) and online programs. MS in Computer Science, Master of Public Health, MS in Business Analytics & Information Systems, MS in Management are among the popular graduate programs among Indian students. University of South Florida requirements for international students for graduate programs are as follows:

Application Portal: MyUSF

Application Fee: USD 30


Master of Science in Computer Science

  • Eligibility:
    • GPA: 3.0 (86%) in a related field
    • IELTS: 6.5
    • PTE: 53
    • TOEFL: (iBT - 79; PBT - 550)
    • DET: 110
    • University of South Florida GRE requirements: Minimum of 164 (81st percentile) in Quant; 150 (44th percentile) in Verbal
  • Documents Required:
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • Statement of purpose
    • Resume
    • PDF of unofficial GRE Scores
    • PDF of unofficial transcripts

Note: Students can apply for University of South Florida GRE requirements waiver upon contacting the admissions office.


Master of Public Health

  • Eligibility:
    • GPA: 3.0 (86%) in a related field
    • IELTS: 6.5
    • PTE: 53
    • TOEFL: (iBT - 79; PBT - 550)
    • DET: 110
  • Documents Required:
    • Resume or curriculum vitae
    • At least two formal Letters of Recommendation
    • Official Transcripts

Master of Science in Management

  • Eligibility:
    • 4-years bachelors degree with 3.5 GPA
    • GMAT score of 600 or a minimum GRE score of at least 321 (for 3 year bachelor degree)
    • 3-year work experience (GMAT requirement waived)
    • IELTS 6.0 or equivalent
  • Documents Required:
    • A statement of purpose
    • Recommendation letters
    • Resume

Read More: MS Admissions in USA


University of South Florida Undergraduate Admissions

University of South Florida offers over 200 undergraduate majors and concentrations to Indian students. Here are the details of admission to the various undergraduate programs at the university.

Application: USF Admissions Portal or Common App

Application Fee: 30 USD

  • Higher Secondary Certificate or official transcript.
  • Essays:
    • No essay or personal statement required for admission.
    • Any submitted essays will not be reviewed.
  • Standardized Test Scores:
    • SAT: 490 in EBRW, 480 in Math
    • ACT: 19 in Reading, 17 in English, 19 in Math
  • English Language proficiency:

Explore: University of South Florida Undergraduate Courses and Fees


University of South Florida Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics

The University of South Florida acceptance rate is around 43% as of Fall 2024. Out of 68,576 applicants, USF accepted 29,621 in the Fall 2024 intake.

In terms of international acceptance rate, USF has a good record. In the same intake, USF accepted 534 applicants out of 594. This portrays that the University of South Florida acceptance rate for international students is around 90%. However, in Fall 2023, USF accepted only 1,946 international applicants out of 7,139, resulting in an acceptance rate of 27% only. Hence, it can be said that the difference in acceptance rates is due to the number of applicants.

Here are the last 3-year admissions statistics of USF.

Intake Total Applicants Accepted Acceptance Rate
Fall 2024 68,576 29,621 43%
Fall 2023 65,187 26,699 41%
Fall 2022 65,567 28,811 44%

Check Out: US Universities with High Acceptance Rate


University of South Florida Admissions Decision Dates

USF follows a rolling admission process, reviewing applications once all documents are received. Indian students are advised to apply early for better chances of admission and scholarships.

  • Priority Decision Release: Apply with all documents by the priority deadline to receive a decision by December 10.
  • Regular Rolling Decisions: Begin from December 16 for non-priority applicants.
  • Scholarship Deadline: Submit your application and documents by January 15 to qualify for merit-based scholarships. Late applications are not considered.

Check Out: University of South Florida Student Profiles


Once admitted by USF and financial documents are submitted, students receive an I-20 form from the USF admissions office to apply for an F-1 visa in the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The F-1 visa application process takes up to 3-4 months and even more during busy times of the year. Hence, Indian students must apply to USF well in advance to get through the process without any hustle.


FAQs

Ques: Is South Florida University hard to get into?

Ans: The University of South Florida (USF) has a moderate acceptance rate of 43%, making it selective but not overly challenging for qualified students. For international applicants, especially Indian students, the acceptance rate was much higher, around 90% in Fall 2024, indicating strong support for global applicants who meet the requirements.

Ques: What GPA do you need to get into the University of South Florida?

Ans: University of Florida GPA requirements are as follows:

  • For undergraduate programs, Indian students generally need a strong academic record in their Higher Secondary Certificate.
  • For graduate programs, a minimum GPA of 3.0 (86%) in a relevant field is required for most courses. Some competitive programs, like the MS in Management, may require a GPA of 3.5.

Ques: Can I get into the University of South Florida with a 2.5 GPA?

Ans: No, a 2.5 GPA is generally not sufficient to get into the University of South Florida (USF) for most programs, especially for graduate studies, as the minimum requirements are above 3.0.

Placements & Recruiters

University of South Florida-Tampa Placement Details

University of South Florida-Tampa in Tampa, Florida, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Tampa, Florida, United States.

Recruiters
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Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2021

Highlights
2021
  • Best overall country rank: #33
  • Nursing: #15 in country
  • Top source: ARWU
  • 36 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 5 ranking records in 2021

2022

Highlights
2022
  • Best overall country rank: #41
  • Communication Studies: #15 in country
  • Top source: ARWU
  • 49 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 3 ranking records in 2022

2023

Highlights
2023
  • Best overall country rank: #55
  • Sports Sciences: #26 in country
  • Top source: THE
  • 47 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 3 ranking records in 2023

2024

Highlights
2024
  • Best overall country rank: #36
  • Tourism and Hospitality: #15 in country
  • Top source: QS
  • 34 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 3 ranking records in 2024

2025

Highlights
2025
  • Best overall country rank: #82
  • Overall: #82 in country
  • Top source: QS
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 1 ranking record in 2025

Contact Information

4202 E Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620

+1-813-974-3350

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

8.1/10
Top Rated

Based on 9 ratings

Rating Breakdown

Visual summary of rating distribution and categories

Live Summary
Academic
8.9/10
Faculty
8.8/10
Infrastructure
8.9/10
Accommodation
7.7/10
Placement
7.6/10
Extracurricular
9.1/10