USF Main Campus vs. Florida Poly

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Florida in Tampa, FL with Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland, Florida on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Florida is larger than Florida Poly based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 1,769 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Florida is located in Tampa, FL (Large City setting); Florida Polytechnic University is in Lakeland, Florida (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Polytechnic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Florida 22:1; Florida Polytechnic University 17:1.

USF Main Campus vs. Florida Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF Main Campus or Florida Poly? 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 Poly ($11,579 vs. $13,016).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Florida are 0.3% lower than at Florida Polytechnic University ($14,440 vs. $14,482).
• University of South Florida is 29.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida Poly (about $1,470 more per year; $6,410.00 vs. $4,940.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.2% higher at Florida Poly than at University of South Florida (about $3,681 more per year; $21,005.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Polytechnic University than at University of South Florida (98% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida students is 22.7% larger than aid received by Florida Polytechnic University students ($10,652 vs. $8,681).

USF Main Campus vs. Florida Poly Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USF Main Campus or Florida Poly? 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 Florida Poly and USF Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Polytechnic University (1260) is 30 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1230).
• Incoming Florida Poly 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: University of South Florida 1130/1320; Florida Polytechnic University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 24/29; Florida Polytechnic University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF Main Campus - Required; Florida Poly - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus May 1, 2027; Florida Poly Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USF Main Campus students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Florida Poly (3.53).
• Florida Poly has a higher acceptance rate (57.5%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at USF Main Campus vs. 20.2% at Florida Poly.

USF Main Campus vs. Florida Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF Main Campus and Florida Poly? 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).

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.