University of South Florida (Tampa) vs University of Tampa

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Karia Kiritbhai Study Abroad Course Expert

Study Abroad Course Expert | Updated On - Sep 17, 2025

The University of South Florida, found in Tampa, Florida, is a large public research institution that nearly enrolls 50,000 students. The school has a selective acceptance rate that of about 41%, making admission competitive, but possible for qualified applicants. The University of South Florida is well-known for its programs in Engineering, Nursing, Business, Public Health, and Medicine. The school has an average graduation rate of 73-75%, while graduates of the University of South Florida enjoy early career salaries of approximately INR 30-34 lakhs annually (£28,000-32,000).

The University of Tampa, found in Tampa, Florida, is a private university that specializes in teaching, with enrollment remarkably equal to about 10,000 students. The University of Tampa has a more selective acceptance rate, which is close to 41%. The University of Tampa is best known for its programs in Business, Communications, Health Sciences and Creative Arts. The school's average graduation rate is close to 60-65% , while graduates of the University of Tampa enjoy early career wages of INR 27-31 lakhs annually (£25,000-29,000).

Overview Comparison
University of South FloridaUniversity of Tampa
Collegedunia Score5.1 Out of 104.6 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 621 QS World University 2025
# 89 US News 2024
# 251 Times Higher Education 2024
# 433 Forbes 2019
# 767 Round University Ranking 2019
# 85 Bloomberg 2018
ProgramsUG Programs -179
PG Programs -84
Doctorate Programs -45
UG Programs -62
PG Programs -13
Acceptance Rate41.0 %54.0 %
Exam ScoreGMAT-500
IELTS-6.5
PTE-53
SAT-1250
TOEFL-79
IELTS-6.5
SAT-1070
TOEFL-79
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   17324
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  15864
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 14440 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   27375.67
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  10660
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 21132 Per Year
placement (average package)

Average Salaries are lisited below :

  • Masters in Science : $85,000 
  • Bachelor of Arts : $83,000 
  • Master (Other) : $79,000 
  • Bachelor of Science : $60,000 

On an average graduates have average earnings of $40,100 per year.The undergraduate degree which initially pays the highest is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing with a median starting salary of $55,800 followed by Finance and Financial Management Services paying $47,100 and Accounting and Related Services graduates who have a median starting income of $44,500 


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CollegeDunia Reviews8.1/10 Read 9 reviews7.1/10 Read 4 reviews

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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 QS World University 2026
# 72 for Business by Bloomberg 2024
exam scoresDuolingo - 105/120GMAT - 500/800IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 53/90TOEFL - 79/120Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 80/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -32000Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -37326
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of South FloridaUniversity of Tampa
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1956
1931
Student:Faculty Ratio20:1
17:1
Male:Female46% Male, 54% Female41% Male, 58% 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 Tampa (UT) is a private university in Tampa, Florida. UT's campus features 60 buildings on 110 landscaped acres.


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 Macdonald–Kelce Library houses more than 275,000 books and 65,181 periodicals, as well as online research databases, a computer lab, study rooms and special collections, including Florida military materials, old and rare books, and local history and UT archives.


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.


About 60% of full-time UT students live on the university's main campus. Straz Hall and Palm Apartments offer apartment-style living, with each student having a private room but sharing a bathroom, kitchen and common area with three others. Five dorms, Smiley Hall, McKay Hall, Boathouse, Austin Hall and Vaughn Center, offer traditional dormitory arrangements, with two or three students in a connected suite sharing a bathroom and open living areas. Three halls, Brevard Hall, Morsani Hall and Jenkins Hall, offer a hybrid package with students sharing a common area but without a kitchen. Finally, Urso Hall provides students with what is essentially a studio apartment, a private suite consisting of a bed, closet, kitchenette and restroom. Every residence hall also offers a small assortment of private single rooms.UT has about 50 computer labs and wireless Internet access across campus. The Sykes College of Business, in addition to housing a computer lab, has a stock market lab, equipped with terminals and plasma screen TVs for teaching finance majors the intricacies of the stock market. For student recreation there is a new Fitness and Recreation Center, a two-floor, 60,000 square foot space featuring six exercise rooms, including indoor cycling, functional training and yoga.  There is also an on-campus aquatic center, the pool has a deep swimming section for scuba classes; it is open to students at limited times. UT offers sand volleyball courts, outdoor basketball courts, a fully equipped intramural sports gym with indoor courts, intramural softball fields, tennis courts, a ropes course, a soccer field, a running track, intramural baseball fields, a multi-use intramural field and a fully equipped workout center. The University of Tampa competes at the Division II level in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC). The school's mascot is the Spartan. 


Hostel#Food - $5600
#Housing - $8840
#On campus - $10502
#Off campus (with family) - $3630
#Off campus (not with family) - $7000
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:

  • John Chiang (politician)
  • Anthony Henry (footballer)
  • Mellissa Howard (comedian)

Braulio Alonso, educator, first Hispanic president of the National Education Association
Rod Blagojevich, governor of Illinois
Steve Boyett, author and DJ
Alejandra Caraballo, civil rights attorney and LGBTQ advocate
Chyna (Joan Laurer), actress and professional wrestler
Cr1TiKaL (Charles White), entertainer and Internet celebrity
Danielle Dixson, marine ecologist at the University of Delaware


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. 


The Tampa Bay metro area is a sprawling and diverse region that encompasses three cities – Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater – each with a distinct personality. 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. The cost of living in the Tampa Bay area is on par with the national average, and Florida has no state income tax.


Weather
Comparison Notes

University of South Florida (Tampa) vs University of Tampa

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

The University of South Florida (USF) is included among the top 500 universities in the world, known for its research capabilities and a variety of academic programs. It has a strong reputation for its Public Health, Engineering, Business, Marine Science, and Nursing programs. The University of Tampa (UT), a private university, usually does not rank in the global top 500, but is known for its research capacities in a region, especially in Business Administration, Communications, Arts, and Liberal Studies.

General Information

USF is a large public research university, located on a metropolitan campus in Tampa, Florida, with over 200 offered degrees, and serves more than 50,000 students. UT is noticeably smaller, educating around 10,000 students, and offers an education with a liberal arts focus in a private institution, situated on a compact urban campus, which emphasizes personal attention and preparing students for careers.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

USF has a moderate admission selection process with an acceptance rate around 40-45%, and receives a significant volume of in-state, out-of-state, and international applicants. Although UT has a slightly higher acceptance rate than USF (around 55-60%), they note a holistic admissions practice, and also draw students that are searching for smaller class sizes and a private education instead of a public institution.

Research Impact & Facilities

USF is a Carnegie R1 research university with considerable research funding, mostly in medicine, engineering, and global health. It operates state-of-the-art labs, hospitals, and research centers, collaboratively working with partners worldwide. UT is generally teaching-focused and has an applied project focus and often experiential learning through internships and work experiences, with less emphasis on large research endeavors. 

Cost & Financial Aid

For international students, USF’s tuition averages between $18,000–21,000 per year; UT's tuition is more expensive and averages between $33,000–35,000 per year since it is a private university. Both USF and UT offer scholarships for international students, with UT offering merit awards to attract international students and USF providing state need and merit awards. 

Career Destinations & Graduates' Success

USF graduates usually enter the healthcare industry, engineering, technology, and research roles, and benefitting from how USF is a research university and therefore has a healthy alumni base. UT graduates tend to move forward into business, entrepreneurship, communications, and creative industries, all benefitting from Tampa's growing corporate environment and start-up ecosystem. UT’s smaller environment allows for stronger relationships within local industries; however, USF’s size provides broader-reaching job prospects associated with research opportunities and international alumni reach.