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University of South Florida

Founded in 1956, the University of South Florida is one of Florida’s top three public research universities. USF provides undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to participate in research and to seek solutions to local, national and global problems through 234 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. USF is committed to providing students with high quality learning opportunities, building community and business partnerships, and research for discovery and innovation with a focus on these strategic priorities: Student Success, Research and Innovation, Community Engagement, Global Literacy and Impact, and Integrated, Interdisciplinary Inquiry.

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Living in the Bulls Community

Graphic Silhouette of College Students

The University of South Florida is one of the nation’s top public research universities that works to ensure a comprehensive premiere student-centered learning environment. USF is committed to providing a variety of programs that are integrated and engaging for students, all of which will contribute to student success. USF is a channel for knowledge, expertise, exposure and development, and strives to provide the bridge from the academic experience inside and outside of the classroom into the global community. The university is committed to the personal, social, civic, leadership, physical, character and intellectual development of its students as they live and learn in this diverse community. With over 500 student organizations ranging from social to academic, political to religious, and 91 undergraduate and 142 graduate majors, students have the opportunity to get involved and develop their academic, leadership, and interpersonal skills that will support learning beyond graduation.

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The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2010?

More Information

Undergraduate and Graduate Student Total
Total Students 40,431
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Undergraduate Snapshot

Undergraduate Student Demographic Breakdown
Total Undergraduate Students 30,914
 
Gender
Women 17,419 56%
Men 13,495 44%
 
Race/Ethnicity
American Indian / Alaskan Native 127 <1%
Asian 1,984 6%
African American / Black 3,726 12%
Hispanic 5,253 17%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 25 <1%
White 18,472 60%
Two or More Races 274 1%
International 505 2%
Race/Ethnicity Not Reported 548 2%
Geographic Distribution (Degree-Seeking)
Where do USF undergraduates call home?
 
Florida 95%
Other US States & Territories 5%
Other Countries <1%
Residency Unknown <1%
 
How old are USF undergraduates?
Average Age 23
Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older 17%
 
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New Student Applications (Fall 2010)

Of the 29,179 new freshman applicants, 45% were admitted and 34% of the admitted students enrolled at University of South Florida in Fall 2010.
Of the 8,801 transfer applicants, 58% were admitted and 63% of the admitted students enrolled at University of South Florida in Fall 2010.
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New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores

Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended

Shows middle 50% of testing range
Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen ACT SAT
Composite 22 - 27  
Math 520 - 620
Critical Reading   510 - 610
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
High School Preparation
High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen
 
Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class 57%
Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class 81%
Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA 100%
Average High School GPA (4-point scale) 3.64
Percent who submitted High School GPA 100%
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Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?

Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2009-10 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)

Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $18,298


Out-of-State & Other Costs

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The cost to attend University of South Florida varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.

How much would I pay?

Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?

Scholarships & Grants

  • 7% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $6,129. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.

Annual Need-Based Loans

  • 35% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $4,834. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.

Percent of 2009-2010 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid

NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.

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USF Classes & Instructors

Classroom Environment
 
Students per Faculty 28 to 1
Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students 49%
Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students 73%
 
Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty 1,129
% of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female 43%
% of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color 26%
% of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study 81%

More Information

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Campus-based Housing

82% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
18% of all undergraduates live on campus

More Information

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Campus Safety

The University of South Florida considers safety a priority and works to maintain a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. USF approaches campus safety from a multidimensional and shared approach, and has recently developed a Division of Public Safety which includes University Police, Emergency Management, Security and Parking Enforcement.  Ensuring emergency preparedness, response to and investigation of crimes and providing public service and a safe campus environment is the university’s commitment.

Campus Crime Statistics

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Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics

The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/

Basic Type
Research Universities (very high research activity)
Size and Setting
Large four-year, primarily nonresidential
Enrollment Profile
High undergraduate
Undergraduate Profile
Medium full-time four-year, selective, higher transfer-in
Undergraduate Instructional Program
Balanced arts & sciences/professions, high graduate coexistence
Graduate Instructional Program
Comprehensive doctoral with medical/veterinary

NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.

More Information

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Student Activities and Involvement at USF

Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.

Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.

Group Learning Experiences

  • 88% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
  • 52% of seniors tutored or taught other students
  • 13% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports

Active Learning Experiences

  • 78% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
  • 13% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
  • 36% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
  • 50% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
  • 8% of seniors participated in study abroad
  • 90% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year

Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success

  • 92% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
  • 67% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
  • 49% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
  • 93% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations

Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff

  • 49% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
  • 74% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
  • 92% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
  • 64% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class

Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas

  • 64% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
  • 85% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
  • 59% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity

Student Satisfaction

  • 83% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
  • 84% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
  • 82% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive

Evaluation of Experiences

Survey Administration Process

Survey Information

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Majors and Degrees

Degrees awarded at University of South Florida in 2009-10
Degrees awarded at University of South Florida in 2009-10
Associate's 157
Bachelor's 6,597
Master's 2,259
Doctoral 400
Total 9,413

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Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10
Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10
 
BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES 21%
SOCIAL SCIENCES 17%
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES 11%
EDUCATION 8%
PSYCHOLOGY 8%
Links to degree programs at University of South Florida
Links to degree programs at University of South Florida

Associate's

Bachelor's

Master's

Doctoral

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Future Plans of 2009-10 Bachelor's Degree Recipients

Survey Response Rate: 11%

Survey Administration Process

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Student Success & Progress Rate

A 84% four-year success and progress rate means that 84% of students starting in Fall 2004 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.

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Counts for the Fall 2004 entering class shown in the graph above.
  • 4,654 First-Time, Full-Time Students
  • 3,763 Full-Time Transfer Students

Success & Progress Rate Table

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Retention of Freshman Class

First-time students in Fall 2009 that returned for their second year: 88%

More Information

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Student Learning at University of South Florida

All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.

The University of South Florida is committed to providing an undergraduate learning experience that emphasizes critical thinking and communication skills, as well as disciplinary knowledge. The assessment of student learning process has a critical role in assuring that the learning outcomes are met, while simultaneously striving for higher levels of accomplishment. Beginning in the general education curriculum, the Foundations of Knowledge and Learning, and continuing throughout the major, student learning is measured with a variety of methods.  Key to USF’s assessment approaches is application.  To be sure, students take tests, both locally and externally developed, but they also demonstrate their knowledge and facility with this knowledge through such methods as projects, written and oral assignments, internships, service learning contributions and portfolios.

Learning Assessment Examples

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Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes

Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.

This university is in the process of collecting and analyzing learning outcomes test results.

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