The University of South Florida also denoted as USF, is a US public research university dedicated to delivering quality education and scholastic research opportunities across 200 areas. Engaged in conducting interdisciplinary research projects, the Office of the Provost and USF Research and Innovation has utilized funds of USD 500,000 towards conducting impactful research on societal matters. These include issues on Black history, racism in society, economic and health disparities, systemic inequality, and contemporary challenges for funding.
The university is further known to offer the best educational experiences through one of the lowest tuition rates in the USA. Additionally, with approximately 16,310 faculty and staff members, USF boasts a student-faculty ratio of 21:1. On average, it maintains a class size of 33 students in most of its batches. Existing students further benefit by connecting with a large alumni network of more than 228,000 graduates.
Table of Contents
- Courses Offered
- Eligibility & Documents Required
- Application & Tuition Fees
- Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Admission Process
- Student Diversity & Preferred Profile
- Part Time Work While Studying
- Campuses & Accommodation
- University Contact Information
Courses Offered
What all courses are available to international students?
USF offers numerous educational programs in more than 200 majors, minors and concentrations. Over 90 undergraduate and 105 graduates, 45 research doctoral programs are available to international students across the following faculties:
Research Highlights
The innovation and economic development contributions by USF have led to producing tangible benefits across Florida by the following means:
- Generating over USD 582 million in statewide impact each year
- Sustaining over 4,000 jobs
- Return over USD 71 million in tax revenue to local, state, and federal coffers
Of the jobs generated by USF’s Research and Innovation wing in the state of Florida, 82% allow employees to serve in the knowledge-based service sectors.
Eligibility & Documents Required
What are the eligibility requirements?
USF has specified its country-based entry requirements for international students. The minimum program-wise eligibility criteria that Indian applicants need to meet before applying to USF are given below:
Undergraduate Level Eligibility Requirements
Basic Education: Grade 12 in relevant discipline from a recognized board of education with a minimum score of either of the following:
- 50% aggregate or B2 for CBSE or 4 Pass with Credit for CISCE
- IGCSE 5 academic subjects with a 3.0 average
- AS/A Levels: A 3.0 average on A-Level (must meet IGCSE requirements)
English Proficiency through Standardized Exams (either of):
- SAT: Minimum score of 1260 (25 in English Writing and 24 each in Critical Reading and Mathematics)
- ACT: Minimum score of 27 (17 in English and 19 each in Reading and Mathematics)
Note: Lower SAT or ACT can be considered if GPA is higher than 3.0 on a scale of 4.0. Refer to the accepted scores:
- If GPA is 3.0, then SAT of 1260 or ACT of 27 is required
- If GPA is 3.3, then SAT of 1230 or ACT of 26 is required
- If GPA is 3.5, then SAT of 1160 or ACT of 24 is required
- If GPA is 3.7, then SAT of 1130 or ACT of 23 is required
Graduate Level Eligibility Requirements
Basic Education: Four-year bachelor degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 or equivalent.
English Proficiency (either of):
- IELTS: A minimum of 6.5 bands
- TOEFL (iBT): Minimum overall score of 79
- PTE Academic: Minimum overall score of 53
- Duolingo (DET) - 105
Standardized Exams:
- GMAT: Mandatory for Business programs
- GRE: Required for some MS programs
Please note that these are the minimum requirements to apply to certain programs offered by the university. These requirements vary with every course and specialization. Some programs may have higher selection criteria. Merely meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance in any of the programs.
It is recommended to learn about detailed and specific entry requirements by visiting the exact page of the intended course on the official website.
What documents are needed for the application?
International students need to provide the following set of documents at the time of application at USF:
- Academic transcripts (original and English-translated)
- English proficiency test score
- Standardized exam scores
- Scanned copy of the biographical page of a valid passport
Note: These are general requirements for applying to the university and may vary with different courses. It is recommended to check the exact requirements from the course page on the official website of the university.
Application & Tuition Fees
Is there any application fee?
A non-refundable application fee of USD 30 is chargeable to all national and international aspirants while applying to any program offered by USF.
What is the fee structure of courses offered by the university?
The annual tuition fee chargeable to international students at USF for the academic session 2022-2023 is as follows:
Bachelor degrees | 17,324 |
Master degrees | 15,864 |
Source: University of South Florida
*Fee varies depending on the course and progressive years. We encourage you to check the school/department’s website for the exact fee.
Mandatory Health Insurance
Besides the tuition and fee, international students need to consider the cost of mandatory health insurance worth USD 2,403.
Annual Cost of Attendance 2022-2023
USF has specified the annual cost of attendance for students from outside of Florida as follows:
Undergraduate Billable Expenses | |
Housing | 8,156 |
Meals | 4,100 |
Total billable expenses | 29,580 |
Undergraduates Non-Billable Expenses | |
Books and supplies | 1,100 |
Transportation | 1,600 |
Personal allowances | 2,500 |
Total non-billable expenses | 5,200 |
Total cost of attendance (without insurance) | 34,780 |
Graduate Billable Expenses | |
Housing | 8,900 |
Meals | 4,100 |
Total billable expenses | 28,864 |
Graduate Non-Billable Expenses | |
Books and supplies | 900 |
Transportation | 1,600 |
Personal allowances | 2,500 |
Total non-billable expenses | 5,000 |
Total cost of attendance (without insurance) | 33,864 |
*Cost varies depending on the course and progressive years. We encourage you to check the school/department’s website for the exact fee.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?
USF offers numerous merit-based scholarships to international students. These are awarded by the USF Office of Admissions. Undergraduates completing their university applications by the priority deadline of the Fall Semester are considered for scholarships.
Undergraduate Scholarship Requirements
- Impressive high-school GPA
- Post-secondary GPA of at least 3.0
- SAT or ACT scores
- Residency
- Fall program application with a priority deadline
Undergraduate Award Value
The award value varies with the kind of scholarships but generally ranges between USD 1,000 and USD 12,000 per year making a sum of USD 4,000-48,000 for the entire program.
Undergraduate Scholarship Eligibility for Indian Students
USF has specified the following criteria to identify qualifying Indian students along with the award value:
Sum of 44,000 (up to 11,000 per year) | 4.0 | 1370+ | 30+ |
Sum of 32,000 (up to 8,000 per year) | 3.8+ | 1310+ | 28+ |
Sum of 20,000 (up to 5,000 per year) | 3.6+ | 1240+ | 26+ |
Sum of 4,000 (up to 1,000 per year) | 3.5+ | 1210+ | 25+ |
*Minimum ACT score mentioned is for evidence-based Reading-Writing and Mathematics only
Note: Eligibility requires students to have scored the aforementioned GPA along with either SAT or ACT score.
Undergraduate Application Deadlines
Refer to the tentative deadlines given below:
Application submission | Early April |
Application material | Early July |
*Deadlines vary depending on the course and can change frequently. We encourage you to check the school/department’s website for exact deadlines.
USF Graduate Awards
Some international graduates may be qualified to undertake graduate research or teaching assistantships. Application for the same should be made at the time of program application.
Admission Process
When do the admissions start?
USF follows a semester-based calendar offering the following intakes:
Refer to the tentative deadlines given below:
Undergraduate Admission Cycle
Undergraduate programs are not offered to international students in the Summer Intake. Hence, international aspirants may apply in either Fall or Spring Intakes as per the following deadlines:
Spring Intake | Mid-January | Early October |
Fall Intake | Late-August | Early June |
*Deadlines vary depending on the course and can change frequently. We encourage you to check the school/department’s website for exact deadlines.
Graduate Admission Cycle
Graduate applicants may apply in either of the following intakes give that their intended program offers all these intakes:
Fall Intake | Late August | Early June or Mid-February** |
Spring Intake | Mid-September | Mid-October |
Summer Intake*** | Mid-May | Mid-February |
***Some graduate programs do not offer Summer Intake.
**Some programs offered in the Fall Intake have a June deadline while some have February.
*Deadlines vary depending on the course and can change frequently. We encourage you to check the school/department’s website for exact deadlines.
What are the steps to the application process? Does this involve an interview round?
The university follows the same application process for its national and international students. All aspirants may apply online.
Undergraduate Applicants
International undergraduates transfer students may apply directly through the university website for all the university campuses. First-time applicants may apply directly on the university website or through the Common Application or Coalition Application portals designed specifically for US universities.
USF teaches the application through tutorials. Applicants may refer to them for ease while filling their online forms. First-time applicants may also refer to the steps of online university application discussed in the graduate section below.
Graduate Applicants
International graduate applicants may apply directly through the university website. Refer to the step-by-step online application process here:
Step 1: Visit secure.vzcollegeapp.com/usf/default.aspx and create a new account using an active email address.
Step 2: Enter the security code sent by the university via email and proceed.
Step 3: Input personal information.
Applicants may exit the application process in between and save the progress by clicking on the ‘Save & Exit Application’ button. Those who want to proceed may press the ‘Save & Continue’ button.
Step 4: Complete the remaining two sections:
- Citizenship information
- Academic interest (intended program)
Next, preview and submit the form.
Please note that candidates may not proceed to the next step without completing the previous step. As the application form is lengthy, it is advised to keep all the supporting documents and fee payment options handy to save time.
When will I hear from the university after I submit my application?
USF posts admission decisions for students online on the OASIS account within 6-8 weeks of receiving a complete application.
Note: As the admission decisions are announced by the university either through email or the online portal, it is recommended to stay active on emails and the university website. It is also advisable to stay updated on the latest information and important updates regarding international admissions to meet the requirements on time.
Student Diversity & Preferred Profile
What is the acceptance rate of the university for international students?
USF welcome 4,692 international students from over 146 countries. With an acceptance rate of 49% for qualifying students, the university is more selective. The Fall 2021 student body shows a total of 49,867 students studying at the university representing more than 146 nationalities.
USF Undergraduate Class Profile 2021
As per the Fall 2021 undergraduate enrollment data, the profile of admitted students is represented as follows:
GPA range | 4.1-4.4 | 3.7-4.0 |
SAT range | 1220-1360 | 1160-1190 |
ACT range | 26-30 | 24-25 |
Source: University of South Florida
This shows the competition among the overall undergraduate applicants is quite tough.
How many Indian/international students are studying at the university?
In the Fall of 2021, approximately 4,692 international students joined different programs to make up 9.4% of the total student body at USF. While the total international students represent over 146 countries, the graduates and undergraduates separately represent 120 and 141 nationalities respectively.
Indian Students at USF
A total of 868 and 936 Indian students were enrolled at the university in Fall 2019 and 2020 respectively.
USF Student Enrollment Fall 2021
The 2021 enrollment data of USF displayed the following headcount of its students:
Total students | 49,867 |
Total international students | 4,692 |
Total undergraduates | 36,854 |
International undergraduates | 2,491 |
Total graduates | 9,493 |
International graduates | 1,889 |
Total non-degree seekers | 1,857 |
International non-degree seekers | 312 |
Total doctorate students | 1,663 |
Source: University of South Florida
Student Diversity Fall 2021
The diversity in the student body enrolled in Fall 2021 can be observed as follows:
Source: University of South Florida
As per the same fact sheet, nearly 48.5% of total students are either African American, American Indian, Asian, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or multiracial.
Part Time Work While Studying
Can I work while studying here?
Like most of abroad universities, USF advises its students to gain relevant work experience while studying. This increases students’ chances of getting employed sooner and in established organizations after graduation.
Type of Job
USF encourages its students to take up on-campus jobs as teaching assistants during their studies. It also allows students to undergo training and internship as part of the curriculum to gain industrial exposure. These jobs available to international students include:
- Assistantships
- Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Read Study in the US: Difference between CPT and OPT for more details.
How to Find Jobs
Each campus offers online options to explore university jobs and internship opportunities. Students must visit the official website of the university to look for suitable work options.
Eligibility
International students coming on a study visa are eligible to work as long as they have a work permit along with their study permit. Students aspiring for off-campus jobs or internships must be enrolled in a full-time degree program and possess a valid F-1 visa status along with a valid USF I-20.
Work Permit
All international students eligible to work on a study visa must also attain a work permit from their respective departments before taking up any kind of on-campus job each semester.
Working Hours
International students are allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week during the Fall and Spring Semesters while working at USF. Working hours may go up to 40 hours a week during breaks and vacation. Students coming to the USA on a study visa must not exceed these working hours under any circumstances. They must also confirm particular instructions on working while studying at USF from their respective departments.
Note: International students must check the rules and regulations on their study vivisasrom the respective embassies in advance and follow the same while studying or working in the USA. Violation in terms of working hours or work-related matters may have serious consequences.
Campuses & Accommodation
How many colleges and campuses does the university have?
With its main campus in Tampa, USF has three campuses in total. Covering nearly 12 million square feet of building space, these campuses sprawl across 1,600 acres of land boasting coastal areas, Bayfront, and riverfront views. The three campuses are:
All the campuses are well-equipped with spacious classrooms and laboratories to provide advanced facilities to the scholars. These include but are not limited to:
- Computer laboratories
- Auditoriums
- Research laboratories
- Library
- Bookstore
Each campus has a different bookstore to help students find study resources such as books and textbooks along with apparel, supplies, gifts, etc.
Highlights
- More than 600 student organizations
- 28,000 square-foot recreation and wellness center
- A modern fitness center with aquatics, intramural sports, and outdoor recreation
These facilities offer a multicultural experience to students through Greek, academic, religious, service, special interest, and recreation clubs. Besides, the campuses offer parking spaces along with easily banking and shopping facilities.
Is on-campus housing available? How much does it cost?
USF offers on-campus accommodation to its students on all three of its campuses. These can be availed in the form of:
- Traditional-style housing
- Residential suites
- Apartment-style housing
Accommodation Charges 2021-2022
Traditional Style | ||
Beta and Castor (double) | 748.75 | 2,995.00 |
Beta and Castor (super single) | 995.00 | 3,980.00 |
The Village (double) Beacon, Endeavor, Horizon, Pinnacle, Summit | 963.75 | 3,855.00 |
The Village (single) Horizon, Pinnacle, Summit | 1,306.25 | 5,225.00 |
Suite Style | ||
Juniper, Maple, Poplar (double/corner double) | 937.50 | 3,750.00 |
The Village (double) Beacon, Endeavor, Horizon, Pinnacle, Summit | 1,168.75 | 4,675.00 |
The Village (double end suite) Beacon, Horizon, Summit | 1,106.25 | 4,425.00 |
The Village (single) Beacon, Endeavor, Horizon, Pinnacle, Summit | 1,462.50 | 5,850.00 |
Maple (super single) | 1,293.75 | 5,175.00 |
Apartment Style | ||
Kosove and Magnolia (Double) | 996.25 | 3,985.00 |
Cypress, Holly, Kosove, Magnolia (Single) | 1,112.50 | 4,450.00 |
Holly (2-bedroom) (Single) | 1,225.00 | 4,900.00 |
Source: University of South Florida
*Cost is subject to change with progressive years. We recommend students to check the latest cost on the university website.
University Contact Information
Whom should I contact in case of any doubts?
International students may reach the office at:
Address: 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 1036, Tampa, FL 33620-6900
Website: www.usf.edu
Telephone: +1 813 974 3350
Email:
- Undergraduate admission:
- Graduate admission: