USF Main Campus vs. UH

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Florida is larger than UH based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 47,980 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

USF Main Campus vs. UH Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF Main Campus or UH? 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 UH ($11,579 vs. $14,309).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 21.8% lower than at University of South Florida ($11,286 vs. $14,440).
• University of Houston is 51.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $3,307 more per year; $9,717.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.1% higher at UH than at University of South Florida (about $5,223 more per year; $22,547.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Florida than at University of Houston (83% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston students is 14.1% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($12,159 vs. $10,652).

USF Main Campus vs. UH Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is 20 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1230).
• Incoming USF Main Campus students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at UH (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 1130/1320; University of Houston 1160/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 24/29; University of Houston 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF Main Campus - Required; UH - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus May 1, 2027; UH May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USF Main Campus students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UH (3.46).
• UH has a higher acceptance rate (73.9%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at USF Main Campus vs. 26.5% at UH.

USF Main Campus vs. UH Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF Main Campus and UH? 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 University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $603 lower median loan debt than UH graduates ($19,147 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UH graduates ($197 vs. $204).
• More UH graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.