Nova vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, 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 Nova based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 20,910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nova Southeastern University is located in Fort Lauderdale, FL (Large Suburban setting); University of South Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• Nova Southeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nova Southeastern University 16:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

Nova vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nova 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 Nova ($11,579 vs. $31,858).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Florida are 14.3% lower than at Nova Southeastern University ($14,440 vs. $16,840).
• Nova Southeastern University is 503.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $32,290 more per year; $38,700.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 123.4% higher at Nova than at University of South Florida (about $21,376 more per year; $38,700.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nova Southeastern University than at University of South Florida (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nova Southeastern University students is 134.4% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($24,965 vs. $10,652).

Nova vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nova 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 Nova.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Florida (1230) is 60 points higher than at Nova (1170).
• Incoming USF Main Campus students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Nova).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nova Southeastern University 1030/1300; University of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nova Southeastern University 19/28; University of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nova - Required; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Nova students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at USF Main Campus (3.64).
• Nova has a higher acceptance rate (73.2%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Nova vs. 23.3% at USF Main Campus.

Nova vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nova 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).

• University of South Florida's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Nova Southeastern University's (43%).
• Graduates from Nova Southeastern University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,300 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $5,953 lower median loan debt than Nova graduates ($19,147 vs. $25,100).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nova graduates ($197 vs. $259).
• More USF Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nova students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 44%)

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.