Karia Kiritbhai Study Abroad Course Expert
Study Abroad Course Expert | Updated On - Sep 19, 2025
The University of South Florida (USF) is a large public research university in Tampa that enrolls around 50,000 students. It has a moderate level of selectivity, with an acceptance rate of about 41%. The university's strongest programs are in Public Health, Business, Engineering, and Marine Science. The graduation rate is approximately 74–77%, and the reported early career salary for graduates in the region is about INR 40–45 lakhs per year ($48,000–54,000).
The University of Central Florida (UCF), located in Orlando, is one of the largest public universities in the United States, with more than 68,000 students. Its admissions are similarly selective, admitting about 43% of applicants. Flagship programs for the university include Engineering, Hospitality Management, Computer Science, and Business. The graduation rate is marginally higher at around 76% to 79%, and a graduate earns early career pay of about INR 42–47 lakhs or $50,000–56,000.
| University of South Florida | University of Central Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.1 Out of 10 | 4.2 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 621 QS World University 2025 # 89 US News 2024 # 251 Times Higher Education 2024 | # 701 QS World University 2026 # 401 Times Higher Education 2025 # 488 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 85 for Engineering by US News 2024 # 50 for Medicine by US News 2024 # 51 for Law by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021 | # 74 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 501 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 76 for Law by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021 |
| Programs | UG Programs -179 PG Programs -84 Doctorate Programs -45 | UG Programs -70 PG Programs -75 Doctorate Programs -43 |
| Acceptance Rate | 41.0 % | 43.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-500 IELTS-6.5 PTE-53 SAT-1250 TOEFL-79 | IELTS-6.5 SAT-1150 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 17324 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 15864 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 14440 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 22478 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 35820 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 24498 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Average Salaries are lisited below :
| Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: MBA: $105,000 Bachelor of Science: $67,000 Bachelor of Arts; $60,000 |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit English language scores Check program specific requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit English language proficiency scores Check program specific requirements |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Muma College of Business, University of South Florida | NA |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.1/10 Read 9 reviews | 7.6/10 Read 21 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 351 for Business by QS World University 2024 # 102 for Business by US News 2023 # 201 for Business by Times Higher Education 2023 | # 201 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 251 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 105/120GMAT - 500/800IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 53/90TOEFL - 79/120 | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -32000 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Oct 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake) Feb 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For Summer 2025 Intake) Jun 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) | Jul 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake) Nov 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Summer 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of South Florida | University of Central Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1956 | 1963 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 20:1 | 30:1 |
| Male:Female | 46% Male, 54% Female | 69% Male, 31% Female |
| Location Facts | USF is situated in the vibrant and diverse Tampa Bay region, with campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee. Together our campuses comprise more than 1,600 acres and nearly 12 million square feet of building space, with areas boasting coastal, bayfront and riverfront views. | The University of Central Florida main campus is located along Alafaya Trail east of Orlando, Florida. In addition to its Orlando campus, the University of Central Florida has several other campuses to service the Central Florida region. In Orlando, there is one other campus, located at Valencia West, as well as partnerships with local colleges. Outside Orlando, there are campuses in Cocoa, Clermont, Daytona Beach, Kissimmee, Leesburg, Ocala, Palm Bay, and Sanford. The 50-acre UCF Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona includes the UCF College of Medicine and the Burnett Biomedical Sciences Building. University also has a 15-acre (6-hectare) campus in downtown Orlando in collaboration with Valencia College. |
| Library | The USF Libraries offer access to over 1.3 million books and an extensive selection of print and electronic resources, including 52,000 e-journal subscriptions, 443,000 e-books, and over 800 databases containing articles, media and other materials. | The University of Central Florida's Libraries is a university library system that is administered by the University of Central Florida, a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States. The system, which stretches across Central Florida, includes eleven libraries of the university and provides primary support to all academic programs. UCF Libraries collections include over 2 million print volumes, 3 million microforms, 300,000 government documents, 10,000 full text electronic journal subscriptions, 600,000 e-books, 40,000 media titles, a base of 17,000 serial subscriptions, in addition to special collections and university archives materials |
| Campus Life | With more than 600 clubs and student organizations, plus 19 varsity sports, an active student government and a thriving arts scene, USF truly has something for everyone. You can plan the Homecoming parade, learn to dance the Tango, cheer on the Bulls at Raymond James Stadium, write for The Oracle, volunteer in the community and so much more! And be sure to visit the 28,000 square foot Recreation & Wellness Center – or its satellite locations – to work out, swim, take a group fitness class or play one of the 50 intramural sports offered on campus. | UCF has over 400 registered student organizations, intramural sports, and an active Student Government Association. The university encourages student activism through organizations such as the Office of Student Involvement, the Multicultural Student Center, the Campus Activities Board, Volunteer UCF and Learning and Interacting with New Knights, an organization that fosters freshman involvement. UCF's main campus also boasts two Recreation and Wellness Centers. The main center is located on the south side of campus, adjacent to the Academic Village. The second gym is located in Knights Plaza on the north side of campus. The Centers are open to all students. Many different recreational organizations and facilities are available on the UCF campus. Lake Claire is an on-campus lake with canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats available for rent (free to UCF students), and a small beachfront. In addition, UCF's Challenge Course is one of only five in the country to contain a high elements course. The university currently houses 11,000 beds on-campus in eight different housing communities. |
| Hostel | #Food - $5600 #Housing - $8840 | #Off campus (with family) - $4970 #On campus - $9764 #Off campus (not with family) - $9764 |
| Famous Alumni | Alumni of the University have access to Global Career Services, Financial and Investment Services, an invitation to networking events and reunions, etc. Some of the University of South Florida's notable alumni are:
| Cody Allen: Former MLB pitcher for the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Angels Chasen Bradford : MLB pitcher free agent Drew Butera: MLB catcher for the Los Angeles Angels Jim Atchison: President and chief executive officer, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Dan Benjamin: Software developer and founder, 5by5 Studios Ross Brown: Senior Vice President, Worldwide Partners and Alliances, VMware Anthony Connelly: Senior vice president and chief financial officer, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts |
| City Life | Residents of the Tampa Bay area enjoy both a laid-back beach lifestyle and the amenities of a large metropolitan area, including professional sports teams, museums, and an array of entertainment and dining options. Living in the Tampa Bay area is like being on vacation all year. Located north of the bay, Tampa has a hip social scene and a thriving Hispanic community and is notable for Ybor City, once known as "the Cigar Capital of the World." On the opposite side of the bay, the beaches of St. Petersburg offer water sports and activities like parasailing and dolphin-watching cruises, while the city itself has become a major arts destination, home of the renowned Dali Museum. | There's downtown Orlando, the seat of Orange County government and a center for nightclubs, restaurants, concerts and post-game celebrations. There's residential Orlando, which developed during the 1920s' "City Beautiful" movement to feature canopied oaks and lakefront bungalows. And then there's the Orlando that tourists know: the Orlando that's home to some of the world's top theme parks and that welcomes millions of travelers each year, making it one of the most popular vacation destinations in America. The cost of housing in Orlando is close to the national median sale price, although like with many markets, home prices have soared here in recent years. Part of the appeal of living in Orlando is that Florida has no state income tax. |
| Weather |
University of South Florida vs University of Central Florida
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
USF and UCF are both ranked in the global range of 250-400, with USF recognized for its Public Health, Nursing, Marine Science, Engineering, and Business programs, while UCF is recognized for its Engineering, Hospitality & Tourism, Optics & Photonics, and Computer Science programs. USF is becoming more well-known in the health sciences space, while UCF already has a strong international reputation for its Hospitality and Engineering disciplines.
General Information
The University of South Florida, founded in 1956, is a major public, Tampa-based public research university with around 50,000 students on three campuses. The University of South Florida emphasizes health care, research growth, and urban industry engagement. The University of Central Florida, founded in 1963 in Orlando, is one of the largest universities in the United States by enrollment, serving over 68,000 students, and noted for innovation, partnerships with technology companies (including NASA), and campus infrastructure.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
USF has an acceptance rate around 41% and is moderately selective, especially in its Nursing, Business and Engineering programs. UCF's acceptance rate is approximately 43% and is a bit more competitive given the number of applicants and demand for STEM and Hospitality programs. Both universities enroll many in state and international students, however, UCF offers a larger number of programs.
Research Impact & Facilities
USF holds an R1 research status with recognized contributions in health sciences, marine studies, and engineering. It maintains strong partnerships with Tampa General Hospital and industry leaders in healthcare. UCF is also an R1 institution and excels in engineering research, space sciences, simulation, and optics, leveraging Orlando’s aerospace and tech industries. Both universities focus on applied, industry-connected research but differ in specialization: USF leans healthcare, UCF leans engineering and technology.
Cost & Financial Aid
International tuition averages $17,000–18,000 per year at USF and $19,000–21,000 at UCF. Living costs are moderate, with Orlando slightly higher due to tourism-driven expenses. Both provide scholarships, though UCF is better known for merit and STEM-focused awards, while USF offers solid support in healthcare and international student grants.
Career Destinations & Graduates' Success
USF graduates often pursue careers in healthcare, nursing, business, and technology within Tampa’s expanding job market. UCF graduates benefit from Orlando’s connections in aerospace, defense, hospitality, and engineering. UCF’s larger alumni network provides broad opportunities, while USF’s specialized ties strengthen healthcare and applied sciences outcomes.
