University of South Florida
#2 Best Biology Colleges in Florida- Graduation Rate
- 76% B+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $57,743 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $9,812 B
- 43% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 43% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A B+ overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 36.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $36.6 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Biology Colleges in Florida.
Every $1 spent returns $36.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,397,632.
What The Data Says
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A B+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 42% above the national college median.
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A 76% graduation rate — 32% above the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 2.75% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $36.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.4%
- Top 53%
- Patents
- 88
- Linked to graduates
- World Rank
- #301-350
- Times Higher Education
- Patent Citations
- 31
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 30/100
- Times Higher Education
Why University of South Florida Matters
University of South Florida is a public research university in Tampa, FL ranked #301-350 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, a strong record of moving students up the income ladder, and low net price paired with solid completion. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 37,207
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Social Sciences
Why students choose University of South Florida
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 43% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1130–1320. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,812 a year after grants and scholarships — 43% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $57,743 ten years after enrolling — 42% above the typical college, against $17,988 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 13% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.50 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Over 37,000 students call the University of South Florida home, making it one of the largest universities in Florida. With a 76% graduation rate, students can expect strong support in their academic journeys. The acceptance rate stands at 43%, indicating a competitive yet accessible admissions process.
Graduates from USF earn an average of $57,743 within ten years of completing their degrees. The university's Pell Grant rate is 29%, suggesting that a significant portion of the student body comes from lower-income backgrounds. This data points to the potential for upward mobility, although specific mobility metrics are currently unavailable.
The net price for attending USF is $9,812, which is relatively affordable for a public university. Graduates carry a median debt of $17,988, making it manageable for many. Students who thrive here are often those pursuing degrees in health professions, business, biology, social sciences, and psychology, reflecting the university's strengths in these fields.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of South Florida is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of South Florida? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Tampa, Florida, University of South Florida reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 43%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,227. The graduation rate is roughly 76%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 43%
- Retention Rate
- 91%
- SAT Average
- 1227
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1130–1320
- ACT Range
- 24–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 73%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,342
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 22:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.73
- First-Gen Students
- 36%
- Applicants
- 65,568
- Admitted
- 28,801
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of South Florida? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of South Florida is $17,324, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,812. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,122 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,988 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,410
- Out-of-State
- $17,324
- Avg Net Price
- $9,812
- Median Debt
- $17,988
- Pell Grant Rate
- 29%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 24%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $4,122
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $5,444
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,326
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,497
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of South Florida — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of South Florida Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of South Florida earn a median of $57,743, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,328
- 8 Years
- $54,167
- 10 Years
- $57,743
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.31x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (2,716)
- 59%
- 100% (2,716)
- 59%
- 100% (2,716)
- 59%
- 100% (2,716)
- 59%
Where Grads Go
Top employers of University of South Florida’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
- Tampa General Hospital ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
- Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
- Sarasota Memorial Hospital ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
- James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
- AdventHealth ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
- BayCare Health System ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
- Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
- Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of South Florida Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of South Florida delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,812/year ($39,248 total). Graduates earn $57,743 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,436,880 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,397,632 (36.6× your investment). The median debt is $17,988, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 76% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $39,248
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,436,880
- Net Return
- $1,397,632
- ROI Multiple
- 36.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,812
- Median Debt
- $17,988
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 76%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of South Florida Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of South Florida is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.75%, among the highest in the country. About 9.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $80,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.75%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 28.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $109,371
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
University of South Florida produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 88 patents tied to its graduates, and ranks among research universities with a 30/100 research score.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.41%
- Top 53% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 88
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 31
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 30/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 37/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 94/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.66%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-46,997,899
Top Programs
The fields University of South Florida awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 18% $63,164 early-career
- Health Professions 17% $73,196 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 12% $33,980 early-career
- Social Sciences 10% $45,495 early-career
- Psychology 8% $35,605 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 7% $67,545 early-career
- Engineering 6% $81,661 early-career
- Communications 5% $39,121 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of South Florida's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of South Florida? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Tampa, Florida, University of South Florida reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 43%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,227. The graduation rate is roughly 76%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of South Florida? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of South Florida is $17,324, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,812. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,122 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,988 in federal student loans.
Is University of South Florida Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of South Florida earn a median of $57,743, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of South Florida Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of South Florida is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.75%, among the highest in the country. About 9.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $80,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of South Florida? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of South Florida. Its economic connectedness score is 1.50, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is University of South Florida? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of South Florida at #301-350 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 30/100, teaching at 22/100, and citation impact of 37/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of South Florida.
- California State University-Long BeachLong Beach, CA · Close peer69% grad $64,403 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL · Close peer77% grad $58,308 earn 40% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Florida International UniversityMiami, FL · Close peer74% grad $60,249 earn 55% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN · Close peer74% grad $60,249 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA · Close peer77% grad $64,909 earn 36% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL · Close peer84% grad $61,675 earn 24% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of South Florida? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of South Florida. Its economic connectedness score is 1.50, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note