Tampa, FL · Private University
Is University of South Florida Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$57,743
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$6,410
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$17,324
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$69,296
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.33x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
74.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$17,988
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$10,043
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of South Florida graduates earn $12,743 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of South Florida ranked by graduate earnings
57 graduates
99 graduates
194 graduates
407 graduates
123 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of South Florida
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of South Florida, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Engineering: $87,402) and the lowest (Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services: $28,658) is $58,744/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer EngineeringBest ROI | $87,402 | 5.0x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $82,809 | 4.8x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $81,750 | 4.7x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $79,104 | 4.6x |
| Chemical Engineering | $78,184 | 4.5x |
| Civil Engineering | $75,400 | 4.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $73,237 | 4.2x |
| Industrial Engineering | $73,234 | 4.2x |
| Physics | $72,524 | 4.2x |
| Statistics | $70,904 | 4.1x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $68,866 | 4.0x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $63,000 | 3.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $61,900 | 3.6x |
| Geography and Cartography | $59,516 | 3.4x |
| Philosophy | $57,476 | 3.3x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $55,434 | 3.2x |
| Economics | $54,558 | 3.1x |
| Marketing | $54,019 | 3.1x |
| International Business | $53,207 | 3.1x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $52,436 | 3.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,477 | 3.0x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $50,844 | 2.9x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $48,230 | 2.8x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $48,090 | 2.8x |
| Political Science and Government | $47,577 | 2.8x |
| Mathematics | $46,851 | 2.7x |
| Public Health | $46,614 | 2.7x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $46,434 | 2.7x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $46,087 | 2.7x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,537 | 2.6x |
| Criminology | $45,443 | 2.6x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $45,069 | 2.6x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $43,832 | 2.5x |
| Chemistry | $43,755 | 2.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,325 | 2.5x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $43,059 | 2.5x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $42,843 | 2.5x |
| Biology, General | $42,562 | 2.5x |
| Sociology | $42,276 | 2.4x |
| Social Sciences, General | $42,070 | 2.4x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $41,520 | 2.4x |
| Human Services, General | $41,105 | 2.4x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $41,031 | 2.4x |
| Psychology, General | $40,991 | 2.4x |
| Social Work | $40,510 | 2.3x |
| History | $38,900 | 2.3x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $35,281 | 2.0x |
| Anthropology | $34,426 | 2.0x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(1yr data) | $34,105 | 2.0x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $32,893 | 1.9x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $31,041 | 1.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $30,996 | 1.8x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesLowest(1yr data) | $28,658 | 1.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Florida | 3.33x | $57,743 | Strong ROI |
| University of Central Florida | 2.60x | $58,308 | Strong ROI |
| Auburn University | 1.93x | $65,337 | Good ROI |
| Florida International University | 3.18x | $60,249 | Strong ROI |
| Florida State University | 3.28x | $61,675 | Strong ROI |
| University of Georgia | 2.27x | $68,726 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of South Florida stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $57,743 10 years after starting — $12,743 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.