Miami vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Miami in Coral Gables, 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 Miami based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 19,852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Miami vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Miami 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 Miami ($11,579 vs. $45,397).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Florida are 39.3% lower than at University of Miami ($14,440 vs. $23,790).
• University of Miami is 876.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $56,206 more per year; $62,616.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 261.4% higher at Miami than at University of South Florida (about $45,292 more per year; $62,616.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Florida than at University of Miami (83% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Miami students is 284.8% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($40,992 vs. $10,652).

Miami vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Miami 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 Miami.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Miami (1400) is 170 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1230).
• Incoming Miami students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at USF Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Miami 1320/1480; University of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Miami 30/33; University of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Miami - Required; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Miami Jan 1, 2027; USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Miami 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 Miami (18.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.3% at Miami vs. 23.3% at USF Main Campus.

Miami vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Miami 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 Miami's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than University of South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from University of Miami earn a median of about $23,700 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $699 lower median loan debt than Miami graduates ($19,147 vs. $19,846).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Miami graduates ($197 vs. $205).
• More Miami graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.