Florida Southern vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL 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 Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Southern College is located in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting); University of South Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Southern College 11:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

Florida Southern vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida Southern 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 Florida Southern ($11,579 vs. $29,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Southern College are 0.6% lower than at University of South Florida ($14,360 vs. $14,440).
• Florida Southern College is 587.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $37,630 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 154.2% higher at Florida Southern than at University of South Florida (about $26,716 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College than at University of South Florida (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 194.7% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($31,394 vs. $10,652).

Florida Southern vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida Southern 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 Florida Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Southern College (1240) is 10 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1230).
• Incoming Florida Southern students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at USF Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 1150/1330; University of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 25/30; University of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida Southern - Test optional; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Southern May 1, 2027; USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida Southern students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at USF Main Campus (3.64).
• Florida Southern has a higher acceptance rate (64.4%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Florida Southern vs. 23.3% at USF Main Campus.

Florida Southern vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida Southern 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).

• Florida Southern College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than University of South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from University of South Florida earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $4,853 lower median loan debt than Florida Southern graduates ($19,147 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida Southern graduates ($197 vs. $248).
• More Florida Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.