University of South Florida Tuition and Fees

By Jennifer Calonia
(Last Updated – 06/2023)
Total Cost of Attendance
The University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa is a public research university known for its diversity of undergraduate degree programs, including health sciences, psychology, and marine sciences. For 2022-23, USF tuition and fees were $6,410 for in-state undergraduates, which is lower than the national average tuition of $10,940 for in-state tuition at public universities. The total University of South Florida cost, including books, supplies, room and board, and other expenses, was $24,652.
USF out-of-state tuition and fees were $17,324, which is significantly lower than the national average of $28,240. The total cost of attendance for out-of-state students was $35,566.
Costs for 2022-2023
Student Type |
In-State |
Out-State |
Tuition & Fees |
$6,410 |
$17,324 |
Books & Supplies |
$770 |
$770 |
Room & Board |
$12,622 |
$12,622 |
Other Expenses |
$4,850 |
$4,850 |
Total Cost of Attendance |
$24,652 |
$35,566 |
Financial Aid
Nearly all freshmen who attend USF full-time receive some form of USF financial aid to pay for their University of South Florida tuition, including grants, scholarships, and loans. In fact, 98% get grants or scholarships, either through federal programs or state grants and scholarships. Students who received federal Pell Grants – a need-based program for low-income families — were awarded an average of $6,002 in Pell Grant funds.
Explore financial aid options: Florida Student Loan & Scholarships.
Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.
The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:
• Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.
• Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.
• Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.
• Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.
Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.
You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:
• US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state
• College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid
Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans
Private Student Loans
Of the students who have USF financial aid, 20% have federal student loans, and 2% have private student loans averaging $11,370 to help pay University of South Florida tuition.
Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.
What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.
Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.
If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.
Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans
Projected 4-Year-Degree Price
The University of South Florida cost for four years, including USF tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other expenses, would be $98,608 for in-state students. This is lower than the national average of $106,760.
For residents of other states, the University of South Florida cost for four years would be $142,264, which is lower than the national average of $175,960. Here’s some Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.
Undergraduate Tuition and Fees
Costs for 2022-23
Student Type |
In-State |
Out-State |
Tuition & Fees |
$6,410 |
$17,324 |
Room & Board |
$12,622 |
$12,622 |
Total Cost of Attendance |
$19,032 |
$85,202 |
Undergraduates who are state residents paid tuition and fees of $6,410 for the 2022-23 academic year. With the addition of $12,622 for room and board, the total cost of attendance for an in-state student was $19,032. For out-of-state students, the total cost was $29,946.
Graduate Tuition and Fees
Costs for 2022-23
Student Type |
In-State |
Out-State |
Tuition |
$8,350 |
$19,048 |
Fees |
$2,078 |
$2,078 |
Total Cost of Attendance |
$10,428 |
$21,126 |
In-state graduate students paid $8,350 in tuition, while the USF out-of-state tuition for grad students was $19,048. All graduate students paid an additional $2,078 in fees. That made the cost of graduate school $10,428 for in-state students, and $21,126 for non-resident students. This is well-below the national average cost of $62,650 for a master’s degree.
There are many options for graduate loans that can help with these costs.
Cost per Credit Hour
Florida undergraduate residents pay $105.07 for tuition per credit hour. The total cost per credit hour for tuition and fees is $209.69 or $211.19, depending on the campus. Generally, undergraduate programs require 120 credit hours to graduate. This means in-state students who are on a four-year plan must take at least 30 credit hours each year which costs $3,152.10 in tuition alone.
Campus Housing Expenses
Costs for 2022-23
Student Type |
In-State |
Out-State |
Books & Supplies |
$770 |
$770 |
Room & Board |
$12,622 |
$11,844* |
Other Expenses |
$4,850 |
$4,850 |
*Average rate based on available apartments on the University of South Florida’s off-campus housing website in 2023.
University of South Florida Acceptance Rate
Fall 2021
Number of Applications |
Number Accepted |
Percentage Accepted |
50,352 |
24,672 |
49% |
If you’re wondering about the USF ranking, the University of South Florida is moderately competitive when it comes to admittance. The university accepted 49% of the 50,352 undergraduate applications it received for fall 2021.
Admission Requirements
For incoming first-time freshmen, the University of South Florida asks for a student’s high school GPA, school record, and test scores.
Required:
• High school GPA
• High school transcript
• SAT or ACT scores
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign language), if applicable
Recommended:
• Secondary school rank
SAT and ACT Scores
Applicants to USF must submit their SAT or ACT scores when applying. Below are the test scores of students who applied for fall 2021.
Subject |
25th Percentile |
75th Percentile |
SAT Evidence-Based |
580 |
660 |
SAT Math |
560 |
670 |
ACT Composite |
24 |
29 |
ACT English |
23 |
30 |
ACT Math |
22 |
27 |
Popular Majors at the University of South Florida
Undergraduate students can choose from more than 300 degree programs across the University’s 11 colleges. These are the most popular majors.
1. Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
In the USF Health Sciences program, students can select such concentrations as Aging Health Studies, Health Care Administration, Health Information Technology, and more. It’s suited for students who want to work in a hospital, geriatric care, healthcare nonprofit, or other related field.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21:1,044
2. Psychology
The Psychology program at the University of South Florida offers a foundation of social and behavioral sciences. Students learn different psychology disciplines that can help them pursue a variety of career paths, including law, business, management, and education.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 800
3. Biomedical Sciences
Students who want to pursue advanced professional programs, like dentistry, pharmaceutical, and medicine, can benefit from USF’s Biomedical Sciences program. It gives students an opportunity to learn cellular processes, chemistry, and more. They can also take elective courses that are tailored to their academic or professional interests.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 747
4. Biology/Biological Sciences
The general Biology program offers a solid foundation for students seeking an advanced professional degree. However, its curriculum also helps students prepare for careers like field researcher or medical assistant. In addition to learning about botany, human anatomy, and cell biology, the program requires a course in biodiversity and marine field studies.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 502
5. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
This program is specifically designed for students who are already registered nurses and want to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This accredited pathway is generally a two-year program.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 497
6. Criminology
Students who are interested in criminal justice, law, child protection, or cybersecurity can learn more about the U.S. justice system through USF’s Criminology program. Students can take courses like Human and Cultural Diversity, Criminal Behavior Theory, and more.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21:409
7. Finance
The General Finance program at USF provides students with the essential framework for financial analysis for all types of businesses. Courses students are required to take include Economic Principles, Basic Marketing, and Principles of Investing.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 360
8. Marketing/Marketing Management
Students earning a Marketing degree take courses on Marketing Research, Marketing Management Problems, and Digital Marketing, to name a few. After graduation, they can pursue such positions as marketing coordinator, sales agent, or account executive.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 354
9. Business/Commerce
Business/Commerce majors learn about all areas of business, including accounting, marketing, management, finance, and entrepreneurship. This program is ideal for those who want a career in business operations, such as an operations manager or human resources manager.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 321
10. Accounting
The Accounting program at USF can help students learn and prepare for a career as a bookkeeper, payroll administrator, or accounts payable/receivable specialist. It’s also useful for those seeking a Master’s in Accountancy.
Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 303
Graduation Rate
These graduation rates at USF. More than half of students graduate within a four-year period.
• 4 years: 57%
• 6 years: 74%
• 8 years: 76%
Post-Graduation Median Earnings
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida earn a median salary of $50,262 per year, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. In comparison, the average four-year bachelor’s degree holder earns $47,992, annually.
Bottom Line
With a wide variety of degree programs, a solid USF ranking, and a cost that’s below the national average, both in-state and out-of-state students can find the University of South Florida to be an educational value. And with the school’s moderately competitive acceptance rate, applicants stand a good chance of getting in.
Photo credit: iStock/Rebecca Todd
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