USF Main Campus vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Florida is larger than Iowa based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 30,779 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Florida is located in Tampa, FL (Large City setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Florida 22:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

USF Main Campus vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF Main Campus or Iowa? 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 Iowa ($11,579 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 10.5% lower than at University of South Florida ($12,920 vs. $14,440).
• University of Iowa is 76% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $4,873 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.6% higher at Iowa than at University of South Florida (about $16,047 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Florida than at University of Iowa (83% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida students is 8% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($10,652 vs. $9,865).

USF Main Campus vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Florida (1230) is the same as at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming USF Main Campus students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 1130/1320; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 24/29; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF Main Campus - Required; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus May 1, 2027; Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at USF Main Campus (3.64).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at USF Main Campus vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

USF Main Campus vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF Main Campus and Iowa? 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 Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than University of South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $2,469 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($19,147 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($197 vs. $223).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.