As an Access Leader institution, University of South Florida combines exceptional performance in serving diverse student populations with solid post-graduation outcomes. The university delivers $4,948 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels below peer institutions, supporting economic mobility for students from varied backgrounds.
Showing solid long-term value for educational investment
Controlled costs and moderate debt levels relative to earnings
With top-tier results, reflecting the university's commitment to serving diverse student populations including significant Pell-eligible and first-generation enrollment
With exceptional outcomes, indicating effective conversion of educational opportunity into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisUniversity of South Florida delivers solid earnings outcomes while maintaining exceptional affordability and access. Graduates earn $57,743 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 65th percentile nationally, with earnings spanning from $38,636 at the 25th percentile to $84,504 at the 75th percentile.
The institution generates $4,948 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 73.6th percentile for uplift performance. Low-income graduates earn $47,000, demonstrating strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Students seeking strong economic mobility outcomes at a large public research university. Well-suited for first-generation students (35.8%) and those from lower-income backgrounds who value diversity, accessibility, and proven career outcomes.
University of South Florida's Access Leader designation reflects exceptional performance in serving diverse student populations while delivering solid post-graduation results.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of South Florida hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-south-florida/analysis.
Top 5% nationally for access and mobility
University of South Florida leads with exceptional access performance at the 95.8th percentile, demonstrating top-tier commitment to serving diverse student populations. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public research university admits 41.0% of applicants while maintaining strong academic standards with SAT scores ranging from 1140-1330.
The institution enrolls 29.9% Pell-eligible students and 35.8% first-generation students, significantly above typical selective institutions. USF graduates earn $4,948 beyond expectations relative to similar student populations, ranking at the 73.6th percentile nationally.
With median earnings of $57,743 ten years after enrollment, the university performs above average at the 65th percentile. The 91.4% retention rate and 74.6% graduation rate demonstrate strong institutional support, positioning USF as an Access Leader that combines broad educational opportunity with meaningful economic outcomes for graduates from diverse backgrounds.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of South Florida's published cost of attendance reaches $22,301 annually, including $17,324 in out-of-state tuition (or $6,410 for Florida residents), $13,595 for room and board, and $770 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $10,043 after financial aid, representing savings of $12,258 from the sticker price.
This net price sits $5,547 below the peer median of $15,590, demonstrating strong affordability relative to similar large public universities. The financial aid system effectively reduces costs across all income levels, with net prices ranging from $4,785 for families earning under $30,000 to $17,671 for those earning above $110,000.
The substantial gap between published costs and actual net prices reflects USF's commitment to making education accessible through comprehensive financial aid programs that target assistance toward students with the greatest need while maintaining affordability for middle-income families.
USF graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth from early to mid-career stages. Median earnings rise from $48,328 six years after enrollment to $54,167 at eight years and $57,743 at ten years, representing 19.5% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect a substantial cohort of 11,681 graduates in the ten-year analysis, providing high confidence in reported figures. The institution generates $4,948 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, ranking at the 73.6th percentile for value-added performance.
Low-income graduates earn $47,000, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds. Earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with the 75th percentile earning $84,504 compared to $38,636 at the 25th percentile, reflecting different career paths across the university's 20 bachelor's programs.
Approximately 24.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
University of South Florida admits 41.0% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places USF in the Selective (25-50%) category, representing moderate competitive admission standards.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights that USF is significantly more selective than typical large public universities, accepting 37.1 percentage points fewer applicants than similar institutions. This level of selectivity means that while many qualified students will gain admission, applicants should demonstrate solid academic preparation and present a competitive application.
The university's selectivity allows for careful evaluation of academic readiness while maintaining accessibility for diverse student populations. Students considering USF should approach the application process seriously, ensuring they meet or exceed academic benchmarks and present compelling applications that demonstrate fit with the university's mission.
The 41% acceptance rate suggests that students with strong but not necessarily exceptional credentials have realistic admission chances, making USF an appropriate target school for many college-bound students rather than a high-reach option.
Computer Engineering, General.
65 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
116 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
208 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
340 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
136 graduates
University of South Florida offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. Mechanical Engineering ranks #61 nationally and #4 in Florida, producing 208 graduates with median earnings of $81,750 and a value score of 73.1.
Artificial Intelligence ranks #57 nationally and #5 in Florida, graduating 340 students with median earnings of $79,104. Adult Health Nursing ranks #63 nationally but #1 in Florida, with 464 graduates earning $73,237 and achieving the highest value score of 77.4.
Health Services/Allied Health Sciences ranks #17 nationally and #3 in Florida, representing the university's largest program with 969 graduates earning $48,090. Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #58 nationally and #5 in Florida, graduating 466 students with median earnings of $63,000.
Biology serves as the institution's flagship program by enrollment, graduating 1,184 students annually and ranking #111 nationally and #2 in Florida with median earnings of $42,562.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida Southern College Higher acceptance rate (18.1 percentage points higher) and located 28 miles away; similar graduate earnings | FL | 59% | $55,294 | Compare |
Stetson University Higher acceptance rate (45.5 percentage points higher) and located 95 miles away; similar graduate earnings | FL | 86% | $51,642 | Compare |
Eckerd College Higher acceptance rate (37.7 percentage points higher) and located 29 miles away; similar graduate earnings | FL | 79% | $51,819 | Compare |
Wheeling University Higher acceptance rate (34.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | WV | 75% | $57,949 | Compare |
Samford University Higher acceptance rate (41.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | AL | 82% | $58,469 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Francisco State University Similar quality tier (#44 ranked) | CA | 96% | $68,077 | #44 | Compare |
Texas State University Similar quality tier (#46 ranked) | TX | 89% | $56,906 | #46 | Compare |
California State University-Dominguez Hills Similar quality tier (#48 ranked) | CA | 91% | $57,162 | #48 | Compare |
University Of North Texas Similar quality tier (#43 ranked) | TX | 72% | $57,010 | #43 | Compare |
Stony Brook University Similar quality tier (#50 ranked) | NY | 49% | $74,502 | #50 | Compare |
