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#4 Best Public Universities in Florida

USF Main Campus Admission Requirements

Tampa, Florida

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Your chances of getting into University of South Florida Main Campus

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

43.9%
Admission Difficulty for University of South Florida Main Campus
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at USF Main Campus is 43.9%.  Its admission rate is the 10th lowest in Florida and the 185th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into USF Main Campus and can you get accepted?

USF Main Campus is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 28,801 out of the 65,568 who applied were admitted.

University of South Florida Main Campus typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.64. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 24% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into USF Main Campus?

44% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

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Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of South Florida Main Campus you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.64 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1240 on the SAT
  • Score 26 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

USF Main Campus GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.64*

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into University of South Florida Main Campus?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into USF Main Campus are to have around a 3.64 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to USF Main Campus will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at USF Main Campus is 3.64 on the 4.0 scale. 61% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #17 in Florida for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of South Florida Main Campus students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 61.0% Avg +
3.75 to 3.99 16.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 13.0% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 7.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 2.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.64 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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USF Main Campus SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1140-1330

Applicants Submitting SAT 

76%
SAT Scores for University of South Florida Main Campus
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 580
Math 25th Percentile 560
Composite 25th Percentile 1140
SAT Scores for University of South Florida Main Campus
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 660
Math 75th Percentile 670
Composite 75th Percentile 1330
Average SAT Score 1240

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of South Florida Main Campus?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at USF Main Campus is 1240 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1140-1330. Students who get into University of South Florida Main Campus score in the top 34 percent of all SAT test takers..  USF Main Campus ranks #8 in the state of Florida for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1240 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. USF Main Campus regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1140 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1140, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1040, but scores this low are outside the normal range. A competitive SAT score is very important as 76 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1240 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1235, you have around a 44% chance of being admitted. A 1330 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 60% chance of getting in.

University of South Florida Main Campus admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1330 and Above Good >60%
1235 to 1330 Avg + 44%-60%
1140 to 1235 Avg - 29%-44%
1045 to 1140 Reach 18%-29%
Less than 1045 Low <18%
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USF Main Campus ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

24-29 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

24%
ACT Scores for University of South Florida Main Campus
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 23
Math 25th Percentile 22
Composite 25th Percentile 24
ACT Scores for University of South Florida Main Campus
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 29
Average ACT Score 26

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into USF Main Campus?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to USF Main Campus is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 24 and 29.  The school ranks #11 in Florida for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 24 and score in the score in the top 27 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

24 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of South Florida Main Campus.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into USF Main Campus for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 44% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 63% with a 29 ACT score.

University of South Florida Main Campus admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
29 and Above Good >63%
26 to 29 Avg + 44%-63%
24 to 26 Avg - 32%-44%
22 to 24 Reach 22%-32%
Less than 22 Low <22%
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High School Class Rank

65% of University of South Florida Main Campus freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 30% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of South Florida Main Campus students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 30%
Top 25% of class 65%
Top 50% of class 91%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of South Florida Main Campus admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 39,023 26,545 65,568
Accepted 17,140 11,661 28,801
Acceptance Rate 44% 44% 44%
Enrolled 3,950 2,850 6,800
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 23% 24% 24%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

May 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

175

Applicants have 175 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on May 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of South Florida Main Campus is $30.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of South Florida Main Campus and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of South Florida Main Campus Application Requirements
Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of South Florida Main Campus
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because USF Main Campus is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.64 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1240 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1330 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 26 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of South Florida Main Campus often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=137351 IPEDS survey data for University of South Florida Main Campus.

Last updated February 24, 2024