University of South Florida
#601
QS Rank
73%
Acceptance rate
12%
Intl. students
$18,000
Tuition/yr
47,000
Enrollment
18:1
Student:Faculty
About University of South Florida
Major public research university in Tampa, FL. Strong engineering, business, and health sciences.
The University of South Florida (USF) is a public research university founded in 1956, located in Tampa, Florida. It operates three campuses, Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee, and enrolls approximately 48,700 students across 14 colleges. USF ranks among the top 100 national universities in the US News 2026 rankings (#88 overall, #43 among public universities) and generates over $590 million in annual research awards, placing it 43rd nationally in R&D spending.
USF has notable strength in engineering (ranked #83 nationally by US News 2026, #51 among public institutions), public health (ranked #1 in Florida by US News 2026), and computing. In 2025, the university established the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Computing following a $40 million donation, reflecting its growing focus on technology-intensive fields. The university hosts 49 doctoral programs and a wide range of STEM-eligible master's degrees.
The main Tampa campus spans over 1,560 acres and sits within a major metropolitan area, giving students access to a large job market across healthcare, technology, finance, and defence sectors. Tampa's cost of living is relatively moderate compared to other large US metros. USF draws students from more than 140 countries, with international students making up roughly 12 percent of total enrollment.
World University Rankings
Campus & Location
FL
Suburban
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
All graduates from CRICOS-registered programs qualify for 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT). STEM-designated programs (CS, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Sciences) qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension — 36 months total of US work authorisation.
For Nepali students
- USF's strength in STEM disciplines, particularly engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, and public health, aligns well with the fields most commonly pursued by Nepali students in the US, and many of these programs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, allowing up to three years of post-graduation work authorization in the United States.
- International undergraduate students are automatically considered for merit scholarships at admission, including the Green and Gold Presidential Waiver Award ranging from USD 1,000 to USD 11,000 per year, which can meaningfully reduce the annual tuition cost of approximately USD 17,000–19,000.
- As one of Florida's largest public universities, USF offers a lower tuition rate than many comparable US research universities, and Florida's cost of living is generally affordable relative to coastal tech hubs, making it a mid-cost option for Nepali families.
- USF hosts a South Asian student community (including a Students of India Association chapter) and serves students from 140+ countries, providing a culturally diverse environment that typically eases the transition for students from Nepal.
Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents
A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:
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