University of Georgia (UGA) vs University of South Florida (USF)

Envision yourself as a student, embarking on a journey of higher education. As you navigate the vast landscape of universities, two prominent institutions emerge: the University of Georgia (UGA) and the University of South Florida (USF). While both offer exceptional academic opportunities, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. UGA, rooted in tradition and renowned for its research prowess, stands tall with an acceptance rate of 48%, while USF, a vibrant and diverse institution, welcomes a broader range of students with an acceptance rate of 50%. Delve into the comparison table to uncover further distinctions, including popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Discover which university aligns with your aspirations and sets the stage for your academic success.

	University of Georgia	University of South Florida
Overview
Location	Athens, Georgia	Tampa, Florida
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	95.0%	90.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	40.0%	49.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30
SAT range	1270 - 1450	1140 - 1330
ACT range	29 - 33	24 - 29
Students submitting SAT score	45.0%	70.0%
Students submitting ACT score	40.0%	30.0%
Total number of applicants	39,229	50,352
Total number of admissions given out	15,685	24,863
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,819	6,279
Yield rate	37.1%	25.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $26,622 Out of state: $45,662	In state: $21,812 Out of state: $32,726
Average net price	$16,902	$11,419
Tuition	In state: $9,790 Out of state: $28,830	In state: $4,559 Out of state: $15,473
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,292 Meal plan: $4,036	Room/dormitory: $8,328 Meal plan: $4,240
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $11,045	98.0% Average amount $9,965
Students receiving federal student loan	25.0% Average amount $5,227	20.0% Average amount $6,281
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $13,477	2.0% Average amount $11,370

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	30,166 Men 42.0% Women 58.0%	38,011 Men 43.2% Women 56.8%
Graduate students	9,952 Men 38.2% Women 61.8%	11,697 Men 38.6% Women 61.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	17.5%	14.9%
International students	4.8%	9.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	10,050	7,468
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Georgia Texas North Carolina Florida New York	Florida New Jersey New York Illinois Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Communication and Journalism Education Health Professions Engineering	Health Professions Biological and Biomedical Sciences Engineering Business Education
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	22:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	87.8%	74.6%
Dropout rate	3.6%	13.4%
Transferred out	7.5%	10.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $107,603 Year 2: $120,325 Year 3: $122,859 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,544 Year 2: $111,283 Year 3: $122,491 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $117,307 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,726 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $92,754 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,513 Year 2: $81,333 Year 3: $91,218 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $87,059 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $85,532 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,138 Year 2: $68,778 Year 3: $79,772 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,908 Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $79,190 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $64,622 Year 2: $64,068 Year 3: $78,529 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $79,002 Year 2: $77,144 Year 3: $77,709	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $105,372 Year 2: $111,992 Year 3: $120,368 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $95,164 Year 2: $109,459 Year 3: $115,008 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,251 Year 2: $97,850 Year 3: $102,723 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $100,013 Computer Systems Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,308 Year 2: $87,604 Year 3: $99,399 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,147 Year 2: $84,100 Year 3: $90,501 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $70,332 Year 2: $73,949 Year 3: $82,432 Medical Illustration and Informatics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,033 Year 2: $73,321 Year 3: $81,165 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,306 Year 2: $68,727 Year 3: $79,275 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $70,711 Year 2: $66,566 Year 3: $79,114

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Georgia (UGA) and the University of South Florida (USF)?

The University of Georgia (UGA) is a large, public, land-grant research university located in Athens, Georgia, known for its strong academic programs, particularly in journalism, law, and agriculture. It has a more traditional college town atmosphere. The University of South Florida (USF) is a large, public research university located in Tampa, Florida, recognized for its rapid growth and strengths in areas like engineering, business, and health sciences. USF offers a more urban campus environment.
Which university is larger, UGA or USF?

Both are large universities, but UGA typically has a slightly smaller undergraduate enrollment compared to USF. However, when considering graduate students, the overall student population sizes are comparable.
How do the academic reputations of UGA and USF compare?

UGA is generally considered to have a slightly stronger overall academic reputation, particularly in certain fields like journalism and law. USF is a rising institution with growing recognition, especially in STEM fields and research. Both are respected public universities.
What are the tuition costs like at UGA versus USF?

Tuition costs vary depending on residency. Generally, UGA has lower in-state tuition compared to USF. Out-of-state tuition at both institutions is significantly higher than in-state. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee schedules.
What is campus life like at UGA and USF?

UGA offers a classic college town experience with a vibrant Greek life, strong school spirit, and a focus on SEC athletics. Athens, GA, provides a lively social scene. USF, located in Tampa, offers a more urban campus life with access to the city's amenities, diverse cultural experiences, and a growing on-campus residential community. USF's campus life is more commuter-focused than UGA's.
Which university is better for specific majors, UGA or USF?

UGA is highly regarded for its journalism, law, agriculture, and veterinary medicine programs. USF is known for its strengths in engineering, business, health sciences (especially public health), and marine science. Consider your specific academic interests when making your decision.
What are the admission requirements like for UGA and USF?

Both universities have competitive admission requirements. UGA typically requires higher standardized test scores and a stronger academic record than USF. However, USF is becoming increasingly selective. Both institutions consider factors like GPA, test scores, essays, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation.
What kind of financial aid and scholarships are available at UGA and USF?

Both UGA and USF offer a range of financial aid options, including need-based grants, merit-based scholarships, and student loans. The availability and amount of aid depend on individual financial circumstances and academic qualifications. Check each university's financial aid website for specific details and application deadlines.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between UGA and USF?

Both UGA and USF offer career services to help students with job searching, resume writing, and interview preparation. UGA benefits from its strong alumni network and connections within Georgia and the Southeast. USF benefits from its location in Tampa, a major metropolitan area with diverse internship and job opportunities in various industries.
What is the surrounding city like for each university?

UGA is located in Athens, a classic college town known for its music scene, vibrant downtown, and close-knit community. USF is located in Tampa, a large and diverse city with a thriving business community, cultural attractions, and access to beaches and outdoor activities.
How does the research environment compare between UGA and USF?

Both UGA and USF are classified as Research 1 (R1) universities, indicating very high research activity. UGA has a longer history of research excellence and a broader range of research programs. USF is a rapidly growing research institution with strengths in specific areas like health sciences, engineering, and sustainability.
What are the athletic programs like at UGA and USF?

UGA is a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and has a highly competitive athletic program, particularly in football. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and has a growing athletic program with a focus on football, basketball, and other sports. UGA's athletic program has a longer and more established tradition.

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