At $10,043/yr net price, University of South Florida graduates earn $57,743/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,743/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,043 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $40,172 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,743/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,743/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 74.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,988 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,785/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,053/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,649/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,385/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,671/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $111,992 | $38,646 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $109,459 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $97,850 | $52,931 |
| Computer Systems Analysis. | Master | $87,604 | $24,256 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $86,867 | |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $84,100 | |
| Homeland Security. | Master | $76,460 | $20,907 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $75,518 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Doctoral | $73,949 | $46,914 |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics. | Master | $73,321 | $34,129 |
The Risk Factor
74.6% of students at University of South Florida graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 25% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of South Florida gives you a strong financial return for a public university. You pay just over $10,000 a year and carry a median debt under $18,000 at graduation, which is low enough that most degrees here pay for themselves quickly. A 91% retention rate and 74% graduation rate mean you are likely to finish, so you are far less exposed to the worst outcome in college finance: debt with no degree.
Engineering is where the money is. Computer engineering and electrical engineering both clear $67,000, and Tampa's growing tech and defense employers give you a local market to land in. The tradeoff is debt: these programs carry around $23,000, higher than the campus median. Nursing is the smarter debt-to-pay ratio on this list. You earn over $61,000 while borrowing about $15,000, the lowest debt of any top program here, and Tampa's hospital systems hire steadily.
The risk is the gap between engineering and everything else. The median graduate earns about $57,700, meaning majors outside the ones listed here trail the engineering and nursing tracks by a wide margin. USF publishes strong outcomes for its highest-paying programs, but a soft major with the same debt load leaves you with a thinner return. Pick your program deliberately.
Net price scales hard with income. Under $30,000, you pay under $5,000 a year. over $110,000, you pay more than $17,000. If your family earns under $48,000, this is one of the cheaper four-year paths in Florida. Higher-income families still pay less than most private schools, but the discount edge shrinks.
USF fits you well if you can get into engineering or nursing and want in-state cost with a real job market nearby. If you plan a lower-earning major and would pay the top price tier, weigh a cheaper option first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of South Florida worth the cost?
University of South Florida offers solid value with a low net price of $10,043 annually and median debt under $18,000. Graduates earn $57,743 after 10 years, which is decent but not exceptional for a four-year degree.
What are the best paying majors at University of South Florida?
Nursing and pharmacy programs at University of South Florida lead to the highest earnings, with some nursing specialties reaching $112,000 and pharmacy hitting $109,000. Engineering and computer systems analysis also perform well at around $87,000.
How much debt do University of South Florida graduates have?
University of South Florida graduates leave with a median debt of $17,988, which is manageable compared to national averages. The low in-state tuition keeps debt levels reasonable for most students.
What is the graduation rate at University of South Florida?
University of South Florida has a 75% graduation rate, which is above average for public universities. This means most students who start actually finish their degrees within six years.