South University-Tampa: $18,238 Tuition

$18,238Tuition

390Students

5%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$34,421Earnings

Private forprofit4-yearData: 2023-24

About South University-Tampa

South University-Tampa operates as a career-focused institution serving 390 students in Florida's third-largest city. The school attracts students seeking professional training in healthcare, business, and technology fields. Women make up 82% of the student body, reflecting the school's emphasis on nursing and allied health programs. Nearly 87% of students come from within Florida.

Students face substantial financial challenges at this for-profit institution. The average net price reaches $24,280 annually, while graduates earn a median of $34,421 ten years after starting college. Students typically graduate with $26,123 in debt and monthly loan payments of $277. Only 25% of borrowers successfully repay their loans on schedule. The school's 4-year graduation rate stands at just 7.69%, with only 4.5% completing degrees within six years.

The retention numbers tell a concerning story about student satisfaction and success. Just 11% of first-year students return for their second year. Despite marketing career-focused training, the employment rate of 94.7% doesn't offset the poor completion rates. Students considering South University-Tampa should carefully weigh the high costs against modest earning potential and examine the school's track record of helping students finish their programs successfully.

Academics & Faculty

South University-Tampa operates as a private career-focused college with a student-faculty ratio of 14:1, providing relatively small class sizes for personalized attention. The school specializes in professional programs designed to prepare students for specific careers rather than offering traditional liberal arts education. However, academic outcomes present significant challenges, with only 4.50% of students completing their degrees within six years and 7.69% graduating in four years. The 11.11% retention rate indicates many students leave after their first year. Despite the low-ratio classroom environment that should foster faculty-student relationships, the institutional structure struggles to support student persistence through degree completion in Tampa's competitive higher education market.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Full-Time Faculty: 29.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 7.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 4.5%
Retention Rate: 11.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $34,421
Carnegie Classification: Associate College (High Career)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Master	$100,140
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Certificate	$98,736
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Master	$91,613
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$66,883
Information Science/Studies.	Master	$60,839
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Master	$45,207
Information Science/Studies.	Bachelor	$44,418
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$43,489
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Master	$42,799
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$39,986

View all 19 programs →

Campus Life

South University-Tampa operates as a career-focused institution with just 390 students spread across a quarter system calendar. The small enrollment creates an intimate environment where the 14:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name. Women make up 82% of the student body, reflecting the school's focus on healthcare and professional programs that traditionally attract female students.

The Tampa location puts you in Florida's third-largest city with year-round sunshine and temperatures that rarely require more than a light jacket. Students need sunscreen, not snow boots, as they navigate between classes in the urban setting. With 87% of students coming from in-state, many commute from nearby neighborhoods rather than living on campus. The diverse student population includes 32% Black students and 32% Hispanic students, creating a multicultural learning environment. Weekend activities typically involve exploring Tampa's professional networking events, healthcare facilities for clinical rotations, or the city's entertainment districts. The quarter system keeps academic calendars moving quickly, with students often balancing coursework alongside internships and part-time work in Tampa's growing healthcare sector.

Setting: City-Large
Calendar System: Quarter

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 52°–71°F
July Avg: 76°–91°F
Annual Precipitation: 49.5"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

South University-Tampa draws overwhelmingly female students who make up over 80% of the enrollment. The campus serves a diverse student body with roughly equal proportions of Black, Hispanic, and white students. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school attracts working-class families seeking career advancement. Most students come from within Florida, suggesting South University has built strong local partnerships with Tampa-area employers. The heavily female enrollment reflects the school's focus on healthcare programs like nursing and medical assisting, fields that traditionally attract more women.

Men: 17.7%
Women: 82.3%
White: 28.0%
Black: 32.3%
Hispanic: 31.8%
Asian: 2.1%
In-State Students: 86.7%
Pell Grant Recipients: 47.7%

Location

South University-Tampa sits in Florida's third-largest city, home to 2.9 million residents in the greater metropolitan area. The campus operates in Tampa's urban core, where students access internships and jobs across healthcare, finance, and hospitality sectors. Tampa Bay's year-round warmth averages 73 degrees, drawing both tourists and permanent residents to its beaches and cultural districts. The city hosts major employers like Tampa General Hospital and Publix Super Markets, creating career opportunities for the school's predominantly female student body that makes up 82% of enrollment. Florida's extensive higher education network includes over 40 public and private institutions within driving distance. Students considering colleges in Florida may also compare South University-Tampa with similar schools in the region.

Address: Tampa, Florida 33614-7095

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $34,421
Median Earnings (5 years): $59,826
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $32,500
Loan Repayment Rate: 25.5%
Monthly Loan Payment: $277/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $26,123

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the graduation rate at South University-Tampa?

Only 4.5% of students graduate within six years at South University-Tampa. This for-profit career college struggles with student completion, as shown by its 11.11% retention rate. The school focuses on professional programs but faces significant challenges helping students finish their degrees.

How much does South University-Tampa cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $24,280 annually at South University-Tampa. The tuition is $18,238 for all students regardless of residency status. Despite 47.74% of students receiving financial aid, only 2.82% receive institutional grants averaging $8,196.

What is the student body like at South University-Tampa?

South University-Tampa enrolls 390 students with an overwhelmingly female population at 82.31%. The diverse student body is 32.31% Black, 31.79% Hispanic, and 27.95% White. Nearly 87% of students come from within Florida, creating a strong local presence.

What do graduates from South University-Tampa typically earn?

Alumni earn a median of $34,421 ten years after graduation from South University-Tampa. The employment rate reaches 94.7%, showing strong job placement despite low graduation rates. However, graduates carry a median debt of $26,123 with monthly loan payments of $277.

How large are classes at South University-Tampa?

South University-Tampa maintains a 14:1 student-faculty ratio with its small enrollment of 390 students. The intimate class sizes allow for personalized attention in career-focused programs. The quarter calendar system provides accelerated coursework for working professionals.

Is South University-Tampa affordable for low-income students?

Students from families earning under $30,000 pay a net price of $23,538 at South University-Tampa. Nearly half (47.74%) of all students receive Pell Grants, indicating significant financial need. The loan repayment rate of just 25.48% suggests many graduates struggle with debt after leaving.