Address: 4202 E Fowler Ave, 33620 Tampa, Florida, United States
Health Sciences, Engineering, Marine Science
Founded in 1956, the University of South Florida (USF) is a public university whose main campus is in Tampa, with a second campus in St. Petersburg. The Association of American Universities, an association of North American research universities, counts USF among its members. The university was shaped from the start as a new state institution of the twentieth century for the Tampa Bay region.
USF is organised into 14 colleges that together offer more than 200 programmes. In fall 2025 the university enrolled nearly 50,000 students, which places it among the larger campuses in the United States. In the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings, USF was listed among the top 50 public universities in the country.
A university of this size spreads its teaching across many fields, from health and engineering to the arts, education, business and sciences. Prospective students can compare the colleges and their degree levels on the official USF website, where entry requirements, tuition and campus-specific information are updated for each academic year.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Engineering, Life Sciences, Marine Science, Software Engineering
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master, MBA
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Located in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. Strong focus on research, particularly in health sciences (Morsani College of Medicine), engineering, and marine science. Member of AAU.
Research:
A leading research university with strengths in health sciences (neuroscience, cardiology, infectious diseases), engineering (materials, cybersecurity), marine science, and sustainability. High research activity.
Famous Alumnis:
Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea, attended briefly), Tony La Russa, Lauren Hutton, Kerry Sanders
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
10000
Current students***:
50000
Foreign students***:
10%
Cumulative former students***:
300000
Pros
Major research university in a growing metropolitan area, strong health sciences and engineering programs, diverse student body, rising national rankings.
Cons
Large student population, significant commuter presence on some campuses, Florida climate (hot, humid, hurricanes).
Best For
Students seeking a major public research university with strong programs in health sciences, engineering, or marine science, often valuing a diverse campus in a large Florida metropolitan area.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
What year did the University of South Florida begin?
USF was founded in 1956. It is a public institution that serves the Tampa Bay region.
Which cities host its campuses?
The main campus is in Tampa and a second campus operates in St. Petersburg. Programme availability differs by campus, so applicants should check where a degree is taught.
What is the approximate size of the student body?
Nearly 50,000 students were enrolled in fall 2025. That includes undergraduate, graduate and professional students across the colleges.
How is the university organised academically?
It has 14 colleges offering more than 200 programmes. Each college sets its own admission details for its degrees.
Does USF belong to any research associations?
Yes, it is a member of the Association of American Universities, a group of research universities in North America. Membership reflects the university's research activity.
Where does USF stand in national rankings?
U.S. News & World Report's 2026 list placed it among the top 50 public universities in the United States. Rankings vary by publisher and year, so compare several before deciding.
Where can I read about fees and admission?
Tuition, deadlines and application steps are published on the official USF website. Rates differ for Florida residents and other applicants and are revised periodically.
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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