University of South Florida: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.

The University of South Florida is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 48%. Considering applying to the University of South Florida? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Why the University of South Florida?

• Location: Tampa, Florida
• Campus Features: Located just a few miles from downtown Tampa, USF offers something for city lovers as well as a campus that has plenty of green space and its own beach and golf course.
• Student/Faculty Ratio: 23:1
• Athletics: The USF Bulls compete in the NCAA Division I American Athletic Conference.
• Highlights: USF regularly wins high marks for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Criminology, and Public Health departments. USF is one of the top Florida colleges.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, the University of South Florida had an acceptance rate of 48%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 48 students were admitted, making USF's admissions process competitive.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to the University of South Florida. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

The University of South Florida, which accepts fewer than half of applicants, has a selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. In addition to grades and scores, the admissions folks also want to see that you have taken sufficient college-preparatory classes. The university requires a minimum of four units each in English and math, three units each in natural science and social science, two units of a single foreign language, and two units of electives. You'll be more competitive if you exceed these minimums and your academic record includes challenging AP, IB, honors, and dual enrollment courses. Also, an upward trend in your high school grades will be viewed much more favorably than a downward trend.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. You can see that the majority of students who got in had high school averages of "B" or higher, combined SAT scores of about 1000 or better (ERW+M), and ACT composite scores of 20 or higher. Your chances of being admitted improve significantly with a combined SAT score above 1100 and grades in the "A-" range or higher.