University of South Florida (USF) vs UH Manoa

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Tampa, Florida, or Honolulu, Hawaii, as you embark on a journey to compare two esteemed institutions: University of South Florida (USF) and University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM). While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence and offer a diverse range of programs, they possess unique characteristics that cater to distinct student aspirations. USF boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. UHM, on the other hand, stands out with its lower student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention and fostering a supportive learning environment. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details regarding acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, empowering you to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	University of Hawaii at Manoa	University of South Florida
Overview
Location	Honolulu, Hawaii	Tampa, Florida
Campus setting	City: Large	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	80.0%	90.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	70.0%	49.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $100	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30
SAT range	1080 - 1290	1140 - 1330
ACT range	20 - 27	24 - 29
Students submitting SAT score	3.0%	70.0%
Students submitting ACT score	6.0%	30.0%
Total number of applicants	19,607	50,352
Total number of admissions given out	13,721	24,863
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,939	6,279
Yield rate	21.4%	25.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $29,920 Out of state: $51,952	In state: $21,812 Out of state: $32,726
Average net price	$14,825	$11,419
Tuition	In state: $11,304 Out of state: $33,336	In state: $4,559 Out of state: $15,473
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,301 Meal plan: $5,740	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)	71.0% Average amount $7,986	98.0% Average amount $9,965
Students receiving federal student loan	28.0% Average amount $4,882	20.0% Average amount $6,281
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $15,150	2.0% Average amount $11,370

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	14,120 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%	38,011 Men 43.2% Women 56.8%
Graduate students	4,978 Men 37.8% Women 62.2%	11,697 Men 38.6% Women 61.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	45.8%	14.9%
International students	6.4%	9.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,272	7,468
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Hawaii California Washington Colorado Oregon	Florida New Jersey New York Illinois Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Education Health Professions Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Health Professions Biological and Biomedical Sciences Engineering Business Education
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	22:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	58.9%	74.6%
Dropout rate	37.8%	13.4%
Transferred out	N/A	10.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,132 Year 2: $100,404 Year 3: $108,069 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,721 Year 2: $70,710 Year 3: $86,326 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,904 Year 2: $78,719 Year 3: $78,917 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,009 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $78,040 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,964 Year 2: $65,557 Year 3: $77,099 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,810 Year 2: $60,771 Year 3: $74,485 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $62,647 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $70,269 Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $59,804 Year 2: $58,856 Year 3: $69,738 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,892 Year 2: $63,600 Year 3: $67,721 Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $61,728 Year 3: $66,155	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 in location and campus environment between USF and UH Manoa?

The University of South Florida (USF) is located in Tampa, Florida, a large metropolitan area with a vibrant city life and access to beaches. The campus is large and suburban, offering a traditional college experience within a bustling urban environment. The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH Manoa) is situated in Honolulu, Hawaii, a tropical island paradise. The campus is also large but has a more distinct island feel, surrounded by lush greenery and close to world-famous beaches and natural attractions. UH Manoa offers a unique cultural experience immersed in Hawaiian traditions and a more relaxed pace of life compared to USF.
How do the academic reputations of USF and UH Manoa compare?

Both USF and UH Manoa are reputable institutions, but they have different areas of strength. USF is known for its strong programs in business, engineering, and health sciences, and has been recognized for its rapid rise in research rankings. UH Manoa excels in areas like oceanography, earth sciences, Asian studies, and Hawaiian studies, leveraging its unique location and resources. Consider your intended major when evaluating academic reputation, as one university might be a better fit depending on your field of study.
What is the cost of attendance difference between USF and UH Manoa, and what financial aid options are available?

The cost of attendance can vary significantly between USF and UH Manoa, especially for out-of-state students. Generally, USF is more affordable for out-of-state students than UH Manoa. However, for Florida residents, USF offers a competitive tuition rate. UH Manoa offers lower tuition for Hawaii residents. Both universities offer a range of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. It's crucial to visit the financial aid websites of both universities and use their net price calculators to estimate your individual cost and potential aid packages.
How do the student bodies and campus cultures differ between USF and UH Manoa?

USF has a large and diverse student body, drawing students from across the United States and internationally. The campus culture is active and engaged, with a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities. UH Manoa also has a diverse student body, with a significant proportion of students from Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. The campus culture is more laid-back and emphasizes community, cultural traditions, and outdoor activities. Consider whether you prefer a large, bustling campus or a more close-knit, culturally rich environment.
What are the popular majors and academic programs at USF and UH Manoa?

At USF, popular majors include Business, Engineering, Nursing, Biology, and Psychology. The university is known for its strong programs in healthcare and STEM fields. At UH Manoa, popular majors include Business, Biology, Engineering, Psychology, and Communications. UH Manoa is particularly strong in areas related to marine science, environmental studies, and Hawaiian/Pacific studies. Review the specific departments and course offerings within your intended major at both universities to determine which aligns best with your academic goals.
What are the career opportunities and internship possibilities near USF and UH Manoa?

USF's location in Tampa provides access to a wide range of career opportunities in industries such as healthcare, finance, technology, and tourism. There are numerous internship opportunities available with local businesses and organizations. UH Manoa's location in Honolulu offers career opportunities in tourism, hospitality, government, and marine science. Internship opportunities are available with local businesses, government agencies, and research institutions. Consider which location offers more opportunities in your desired field.
How do the climates and surrounding environments of Tampa (USF) and Honolulu (UH Manoa) compare?

Tampa, Florida, has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. The surrounding environment includes beaches, theme parks, and a vibrant city life. Honolulu, Hawaii, has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round and consistent trade winds. The surrounding environment includes world-famous beaches, volcanic landscapes, lush rainforests, and a unique island culture. Consider your preference for climate and outdoor activities when making your decision.
What are the housing options like at USF and UH Manoa?

USF offers a variety of on-campus housing options, including traditional residence halls, suite-style apartments, and living-learning communities. Off-campus housing is also readily available in the surrounding Tampa area. UH Manoa also offers on-campus housing, but it can be competitive to secure a spot. Off-campus housing in Honolulu can be expensive, so it's important to research housing options and costs carefully at both universities.
How do the research opportunities compare between USF and UH Manoa?

Both USF and UH Manoa are research universities, but their research focuses differ. USF has a growing research portfolio, particularly in areas like medicine, engineering, and environmental science. UH Manoa is a leading research institution in areas such as oceanography, astronomy, volcanology, and Pacific Island studies. If you are interested in research, explore the specific research labs and faculty at both universities to see which aligns best with your interests.
What are some unique aspects of student life at USF and UH Manoa?

At USF, a unique aspect of student life is the strong school spirit and involvement in athletics, particularly football and basketball. The university also offers a wide range of student organizations and activities catering to diverse interests. At UH Manoa, a unique aspect of student life is the strong emphasis on Hawaiian culture and traditions, with opportunities to participate in hula, lei making, and other cultural activities. The university also offers access to incredible outdoor recreation opportunities, such as surfing, hiking, and snorkeling.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.