Florida State vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida State University in Tallahassee, 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 State based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 43,889 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); University of South Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• Florida State 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: Florida State University 17:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

Florida State vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State 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 State ($11,579 vs. $15,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 6.7% lower than at University of South Florida ($13,474 vs. $14,440).
• University of South Florida is 13.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $754 more per year; $6,410.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at Florida State than at University of South Florida (about $1,462 more per year; $18,786.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at University of South Florida (91% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida students is 14.8% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($10,652 vs. $9,279).

Florida State vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 110 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1230).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at USF Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; University of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; University of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027; USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida State students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at USF Main Campus (3.64).
• USF Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (43.2%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 23.3% at USF Main Campus.

Florida State vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida State 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 State University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from Florida State University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $1,603 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($19,147 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($197 vs. $214).
• More Florida State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.