USF Main Campus vs. LSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Florida in Tampa, FL with Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Florida is larger than LSU based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 41,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Florida is located in Tampa, FL (Large City setting); Louisiana State University is in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Florida 22:1; Louisiana State University 21:1.

USF Main Campus vs. LSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF Main Campus or LSU? 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 LSU ($11,579 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Florida are 4.6% lower than at Louisiana State University ($14,440 vs. $15,142).
• Louisiana State University is 86.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $5,544 more per year; $11,954.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.3% higher at LSU than at University of South Florida (about $11,307 more per year; $28,631.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Louisiana State University than at University of South Florida (88% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 32.3% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($14,094 vs. $10,652).

USF Main Campus vs. LSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University (1260) is 30 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1230).
• Incoming LSU 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; Louisiana State University 1180/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 24/29; Louisiana State University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF Main Campus - Required; LSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus May 1, 2027; LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at USF Main Campus (3.64).
• LSU has a higher acceptance rate (73.3%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at USF Main Campus vs. 23% at LSU.

USF Main Campus vs. LSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Louisiana State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $1,753 lower median loan debt than LSU graduates ($19,147 vs. $20,900).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LSU graduates ($197 vs. $216).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.