USF Main Campus vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Florida is larger than WSU based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 16,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Florida is located in Tampa, FL (Large City setting); Wichita State University is in Wichita, KS (Large City setting).
• University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wichita State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Florida 22:1; Wichita State University 19:1.

USF Main Campus vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF Main Campus or WSU? 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 WSU ($11,579 vs. $14,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wichita State University are 14% lower than at University of South Florida ($12,420 vs. $14,440).
• Wichita State University is 51.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $3,274 more per year; $9,684.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at WSU than at University of South Florida (about $2,545 more per year; $19,869.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wichita State University than at University of South Florida (89% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida students is 31.1% larger than aid received by Wichita State University students ($10,652 vs. $8,125).

USF Main Campus vs. WSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Florida (1230) is 160 points higher than at WSU (1070).
• Incoming USF Main Campus students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at WSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 1130/1320; Wichita State University 905/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 24/29; Wichita State University 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF Main Campus - Required; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USF Main Campus students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at WSU (3.48).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at USF Main Campus vs. 20.1% at WSU.

USF Main Campus vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF Main Campus and WSU? 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 Wichita State University's (43%).
• Graduates from University of South Florida earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $1,353 lower median loan debt than WSU graduates ($19,147 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSU graduates ($197 vs. $211).
• More USF Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 55%)

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.