Enrollment: 35918
Average SAT: 578
Average ACT: 25
Most Popular Majors: Biomedical Sciences, General,Business/Commerce, General,Psychology, General,
Regular Application Deadline: 04/15
Student Faculty Ratio: 27.5:1

Undergraduate Receiving Need-Based Financial Aid: 148
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $4,785.00

2009 Best Value Colleges – Public

School Says - General Information
The University of South Florida is a place where the unforgettable is part of the everyday -- where intellectual, social and professional growth is the norm. With more than 45,000 students, USF is among America's largest and most dynamic national research universities. Located in the beautiful Tampa Bay region of Florida's Gulf Coast, USF offers nearly 200 degree programs at the bachelor's, masters, specialist and doctoral level, including the doctor of medicine. Undergraduate programs are offered in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering, Visual and Performing Arts and Nursing. USF creates a dynamic learning environment where students actively participate in the discovery of new knowledge. The university's faculty are world-class scholars and dedicated teachers who often provide research opportunities to undergraduates, including freshmen. With a 19:1 student to faculty ratio and a freshman class average of 37 students, USF students work side-by-side with professors in a dynamic learning environment as active participate in the discovery of new knowledge. USF is nationally recognized for its diverse student body and is ranked in the top 20 on the Diverse Student Population List for the last three years by The Princeton Review's The Best 361 Colleges. USF students come from every state in the U.S. and more than 125 countries around the world, and more than a third of USF undergraduate students are African American, Black, Asian American, Hispanic or Native American. While USFÂ's main research campus is located in Tampa, more than 11,000 students study at our three regional campuses located in Lakeland, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee. Our regional campuses offer the atmosphere of a small college coupled with the resources and prestige of one of the countryÂ's fastest-growing research universities. USF is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, a number of scientific, professional, and academic bodies confer accreditation in specific disciplines and groups of disciplines.

School Says - Student Body
USF has more than 350 student organizations including national fraternities and sororities, multicultural organizations and honor societies. Students can also participate in intramural and club sports, community service and volunteer organizations or one of many special interest groups. USF's 18 varsity sports teams compete at the NCAA Division I level and are members of the Big East Conference. USF students are provided with free tickets to all home athletic events. Theaters and concert stages provide venues for student performances, top-name entertainment, concerts, and a university lecture series. Recreational facilities include a multi-million dollar fitness center, 18 tennis courts, an indoor and several outdoor pools, a private riverfront park, an 18-hole championship golf course and an extensive outdoor recreation program featuring hiking, camping, kayaking and river rafting.

School Says - Academics
The Honors College at USF is an extraordinary environment that nurtures exceptional students' talents and pushes them to live up to their tremendous potential. The Honors College at USF offers the only undergraduate research major in the country, a unique course of study that is based on the Ph.D. model. Students in the Honors Research Major spend an intensive year-and-a-half working with senior faculty members on individualized research projects. For students who plan to pursue an advanced degree immediately following their undergraduate years, USF offers several accelerated degree programs, including a seven-year medical degree, six-year doctorate in physical therapy, and five-year programs for master's degrees in public health and engineering. Honors College students enjoy classes that are never bigger than 25 students and intense debate and discussion is the norm. In addition to tangible research opportunities, accelerated degree programs and academic rigor, the Honors College is a close-knit community where students share ideas and form friendships with like-minded individuals -- friendships that last much longer than their four years at the Honors College.

School Says - Admissions
When considering your application for admission as a first-time-in-college freshman, the admissions office calculates a student's GPA in core academic courses -- English, mathematics, science, social science and foreign language. The rigor of high school curriculum as measured by Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, honors and dual enrollment course selection plays a major factor in the admission decision, followed by scores on the SAT or ACT (essay required). Ultimately, all applications are considered on an individual basis, taking into account grade trends, a student's personal profile, involvement in extracurricular activities or work experience. Transfer applications are reviewed according to the number of transferable credit hours earned, with priority given to transfers who have earned an Associate in Arts degree from a public community college in Florida. Additionally, an official high school transcript and SAT or ACT score is required of all freshman and sophomore-level transfer applicants with less than 60 transferable credit hours. Both freshman and transfer admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. That means that decisions are made as application files are completed. In some cases, a decision might be deferred for additional information, especially seventh semester senior grades for freshman applicants. In order to be guaranteed priority consideration for merit scholarships administered by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, freshman applicants must apply by January 2; freshman scholarships are awarded to Summer/Fall applicants only and first take effect for the Fall semester. Otherwise, the priority deadline for freshman admission is March 1. Transfer scholarships are awarded to Summer/Fall and Spring applicants; transfer applicants who wish to be considered must apply by April 1 or November 1, respectively. Any applicant who applies to USF after the published deadlines above will be considered for admission and scholarship on a space- or fund-available basis.

School Says - Campus Life
In addition to the cultural and recreational opportunities afforded by the university's residential campus, USF students benefit from myriad internship and employment options available in Tampa. The thriving metropolitan area is nationally recognized as a hub for cutting-edge technology and economic growth, as Tampa houses 60 percent of Florida's high-technology corridor and has been ranked by Forbes Magazine as "15th Best in the Nation for Business and Careers." While the Tampa area has hot professional contacts, its proximity to theme parks and the nation's top beaches is a popular choice for many USF students. The Tampa Bay region also offers a wealth of arts and leisure activities, a professional orchestra, Broadway theatrical series, world-class concert halls, art museums, big-city nightlife, and professional sports teams. The Gulf beaches are less than an hour from campus, with Atlantic Ocean beaches only two hours away.

School Says - Cost Aid
At Florida's public colleges and universities, tuition is still among the lowest in the nation. For 2007-08, annual tuition costs were as follows: $3,340 for Florida residents and $16,040 for non-Florida resident undergraduate students attending full-time. Per credit hour tuition and fees vary according to class time, course load, and location. Room and board costs are $7,590, which is based on a double occupancy room and mid-priced dining plan. Room and board charges vary according to board plan, housing facility, and location. Costs are subject to change each academic year.The University of South Florida awards an average of $7,600 of financial aid to 32,000 students in 2006-07. Financial aid is awarded according to each student's need, academic standing, and/or talents in relation to college costs and may include grants, loans, scholarships, and/or part-time employment. The priority application deadline is December 31 for academic scholarships and March 1 for federal and institutional aid. Programs based on need include Federal programs such as Pell Grant, Work-Study, and Stafford and Perkins Loans. State aid includes programs such as the Florida Student Assistance Grant, Florida College Career Work-Study Program, and the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program. To qualify for federal and state aid, students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available in both English and Spanish.

Students Say - Academics
The University of South Florida is "an enormous and comprehensive research university." A huge range of majors" is available. The "amazing" honors college "is definitely something students should try to get into if possible." There's "a great nursing program,." but pre-med, business, education, engineering, and environmental science are notable as well. "Everything seems to run fairly smoothly and is well organized" at USF, but the "distant" administration is "blissfully unaware of student opinions" and "hard to track down." Don't try calling anyone, "You end up in a permanent prompt loop." Lectures can be "very large," especially in introductory courses. Students report a "mix of good and bad professors." "It all comes down to the luck of the draw." Many professors are "very friendly, down to earth, and easily accessible." Other faculty members "are there mainly for research" and "just have no business teaching" or "struggle with the English language." "There are some professors who blow me away with how great they teach and explain material," observes an environmental science major, "but then there are others who blow me away because I hate them so much."

Students Say - Campus Life
USF has a handful of regional campuses, but the main one is in Tampa. It's very spread out and full of "open green spaces." The Tampa campus "could stand to be a little more aesthetically pleasing," though, and it "isn't located in the best neighborhood." "Campus security is a big issue." Also, USF is "a heavy commuter school," and "trying to park every day is hell." Socially, "it's not easy to just walk out and meet people" due to the mammoth size of this institution. However, "there are hundreds of campus activities to get involved in." "The school paper is awesome." Movies on the lawn are "tons of fun." "There is always something going on" at the student union. Busch Gardens-a theme park-is located just down the street from campus. Students here are "diehard Bulls football fans" in the fall and they "have a lot of school pride and spirit." There's also a decent smattering of Greek life. "USF students enjoy a party" and "large, loud, long" gatherings are abundant on Thursday nights and throughout the weekend. Many students also opt for the "world famous" club scene in Ybor City, a historic-district-turned-night-clubbing-district in Tampa's Latin Quarter. However, the overall caliber of the festivities here doesn't approach the scene at some other Florida schools. "I don't think we're a major party school," opines a senior.

Students Say - Student Body
This campus is "full of Floridians," and "flip flops are a mandatory staple in any USF student's wardrobe." That's about all that unites the undergraduate population. "The thing about the University of South Florida is that there is no typical student." This is "a very diverse population of students by any standard." "We come from very different backgrounds and are headed in very different directions," says a senior. "Interests, talents, study habits, and hobbies vary greatly." "You've got the preps, the boozers, the druggies, the philosophers, the theater kids, etc." There are the "overachievers who like sit in circles and pat each other on the back." Other students "always wait until the last minute to complete assignments." "There is a large population of nontraditional and commuter students." A strong contingent works "at least part time." Many students "appear to be on a mission" and "just want to finish their school work and get out of here." There are "a lot of African Americans and significant Muslim, Hispanic, and international student minorities." "It is a beautiful thing to walk across campus and see so many different types of people," beams a sophomore. There is a lot of ethnic self-segregation, though. "It's awkward to see the group of black people hanging out in one corner while the Hispanics stand over there and the white kids sit at that table over there," observes a sophomore.

University of Central Florida
Florida State University

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