HCC vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, 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 HCC based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 21,483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hillsborough Community College is located in Tampa, FL (Large City setting); University of South Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• Hillsborough Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hillsborough Community College 23:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

HCC vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HCC 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 Hillsborough Community College than USF Main Campus ($3,333 vs. $11,579).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hillsborough Community College are 11.5% lower than at University of South Florida ($12,780 vs. $14,440).
• University of South Florida is 155.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than HCC (about $3,904 more per year; $6,410.00 vs. $2,506.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.1% higher at USF Main Campus than at Hillsborough Community College (about $8,213 more per year; $17,324.00 vs. $9,111.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Florida than at Hillsborough Community College (83% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida students is 56.7% larger than aid received by Hillsborough Community College students ($10,652 vs. $6,797).

HCC vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HCC 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 HCC.

• Hillsborough Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HCC - Open admission; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.

HCC vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HCC 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).

• Graduates from University of South Florida earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than HCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hillsborough Community College graduates have a $9,647 lower median loan debt than USF Main Campus graduates ($9,500 vs. $19,147).
• Among borrowers, HCC graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF Main Campus graduates ($98 vs. $197).
• More USF Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HCC students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 34%)

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.