University of South Florida acceptance rate and admissions profile
With an acceptance rate near 43%, University of South Florida is a selective public university in Florida. Because it admits a minority of applicants, admission turns on the strength of your whole profile rather than any one number.
Use this page to see what University of South Florida weighs, where it ranks among Florida schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1320, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.
Will I get into University of South Florida?
Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into University of South Florida, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.
What are my chances of getting into University of South Florida?
University of South Florida admits roughly 43% of applicants, but that overall rate is not your personal chance. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for University of South Florida in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.
Is University of South Florida hard to get into?
University of South Florida is selective: it admits a minority of applicants, with about a 43% acceptance rate. A solid academic record puts you in good position, and the rest of your profile can tip the result either way.
What GPA do you need to get into University of South Florida?
There is no hard GPA cutoff at University of South Florida, but admitted students commonly present roughly a 3.5 to 3.9 GPA. University of South Florida reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.
What SAT score do you need for University of South Florida?
University of South Florida does not publish a required score, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1320. A score at or above that range strengthens your application, while a lower score puts more weight on your rigor, activities, and essays. CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds at University of South Florida.
What University of South Florida looks for
What University of South Florida weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.
In its review, University of South Florida leans most on rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from University of South Florida's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.
SAT score positioning at University of South Florida
How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.
How University of South Florida compares in Florida
University of South Florida ranks #8 most selective of 37 schools in Florida in our database.
Among the 37 Florida schools we track, University of South Florida ranks #8 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like University of Miami (19%) and Florida A&M University (21%) sit nearby, which makes Florida a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list. As a public university, residency matters: in-state applicants generally see meaningfully better odds than the headline rate suggests.
Similar to University of South Florida
Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.
Build around University of South Florida with peers at a comparable selectivity, such as Chicago State University, NC State University, and UC Davis. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.
Frequently asked questions
What does University of South Florida value most in applicants?
Based on its admissions profile, University of South Florida weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.
Does University of South Florida favor in-state applicants?
As a public university, University of South Florida generally admits in-state applicants at a higher rate than out-of-state applicants, so your home state affects your odds. CollegeCalcAI applies an in-state residency boost when you select your state.
How can I improve my chances at University of South Florida?
Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at University of South Florida specifically.
How does residency affect admission to University of South Florida?
As a public university, University of South Florida typically admits in-state students at a higher rate, and tuition differs sharply by residency. Select your home state in the calculator to fold the in-state effect into your estimate.
Is University of South Florida a target or a reach for an average applicant?
For an applicant whose GPA and scores sit near University of South Florida's admitted range, it generally reads as a target rather than a reach. Run your exact profile through the free calculator to see your personal verdict.
Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.