Auburn vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL with University of South Florida in Tampa, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Florida is larger than Auburn based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 34,145 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); University of South Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

Auburn vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or USF Main Campus? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Florida than Auburn ($11,579 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Florida are 13.1% lower than at Auburn University ($14,440 vs. $16,626).
• Auburn University is 101.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $6,480 more per year; $12,890.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.6% higher at Auburn than at University of South Florida (about $17,598 more per year; $34,922.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Florida than at Auburn University (83% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Auburn University students is 2.1% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($10,872 vs. $10,652).

Auburn vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or USF Main Campus? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USF Main Campus and Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 100 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1230).
• Incoming Auburn students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at USF Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; University of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; University of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at USF Main Campus (3.64).
• Auburn has a higher acceptance rate (45.9%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 23.3% at USF Main Campus.

Auburn vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and USF Main Campus? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Auburn University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than University of South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from Auburn University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $2,353 lower median loan debt than Auburn graduates ($19,147 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Auburn graduates ($197 vs. $222).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.