USF Main Campus vs. UNC Charlotte

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Florida in Tampa, FL with University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Florida is larger than UNC Charlotte based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 31,091 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Florida is located in Tampa, FL (Large City setting); University of North Carolina at Charlotte is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Florida 22:1; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1.

USF Main Campus vs. UNC Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF Main Campus or UNC Charlotte? 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 UNC Charlotte ($11,579 vs. $15,045).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Florida are 0.1% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($14,440 vs. $14,458).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $829 more per year; $7,239.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.8% higher at UNC Charlotte than at University of South Florida (about $5,168 more per year; $22,492.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Florida than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (83% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida students is 33.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($10,652 vs. $7,966).

USF Main Campus vs. UNC Charlotte Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 10 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1230).
• Incoming USF Main Campus students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 1130/1320; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 24/29; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF Main Campus - Required; UNC Charlotte - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus May 1, 2027; UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USF Main Campus students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at USF Main Campus vs. 24.5% at UNC Charlotte.

USF Main Campus vs. UNC Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF Main Campus and UNC Charlotte? 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 North Carolina at Charlotte's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than University of South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $3,853 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($19,147 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($197 vs. $237).
• More UNC Charlotte 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.