About USF

A Preeminent Research University and AAU member with campuses across the Tampa Bay region, the University of ͵Ƶ is dedicated to empowering students to maximize their potential for lifelong success.

Overview

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͵ƵAT A GLANCE

  • Founded: 1956
  • Undergraduates: 36,452
  • Graduate Students: 9,241
  • Doctor of Medicine: 1,561
  • Non-Degree Seeking: 1,478
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Faculty & Staff: 15,837
  • Countries Represented: 150

Enrollment Data as of Drop/Add Fall 2023


Welcome to the University of ͵Ƶ. Though a relatively young university, founded in 1956, we have rich traditions – traditions of access and opportunity for students, of academic excellence, of groundbreaking research, of serving our communities.

͵Ƶis situated in the vibrant and diverse Tampa Bay region, with campuses in Tampa, and . Together, our campuses serve nearly 50,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist and professional degrees. Across our 13 colleges, undergraduates choose from more than 200 majors, minors and concentrations, from business and engineering to the arts and ͵ƵHealth.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked ͵Ƶas one of the nation’s top 50 public universities for five consecutive years, and in 2023 ͵Ƶearned its highest ranking ever among all universities public or private.

In 2023, ͵Ƶbecame the first public university in Florida in nearly 40 years to be invited to join the Association of American Universities (AAU), a prestigious group of the leading universities in the United States and Canada.

High-impact global research is central to USF’s mission as one of only three Preeminent Research Universities, as designated by the Florida Board of Governors. The Preeminence program rewards high-achieving universities based on multiple metrics, including graduation rates, student retention rates, research expenditures and the number of patents awarded.

With 88 new U.S. utility patents granted in 2023, ͵Ƶis 14th among American public research universities and 34th among all universities worldwide in generating new patents. The ranking places ͵Ƶas a leader among the more than 1,000 academic institutions generating new, novel and useful inventions granted intellectual property protection from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

USF’s innovation and economic development efforts produce tangible benefits across Florida. The university has a total annual economic impact of $6.02 billion and supports 68,704 jobs in the state. Many of the jobs supported by ͵Ƶare in high-skill, high-wage, knowledge-based industries, such as life sciences, information technology and financial services.

As Tampa Bay’s only academic medical center, is in partnership with the Morsani College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Public Health, Taneja College of Pharmacy, School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Graduate & Postdoctoral Programs, and ͵ƵHealth’s multispecialty physicians group. achieved national recognition in six adult medical specialties, many led or co-led by ͵ƵHealth faculty physicians, demonstrating a strong partnership in delivering top-quality care. Together through talent and innovation, ͵ƵHealth is integrating education, research, and patient care to our shared value: Making Life Better.

At USF, we believe every student will succeed if given the opportunity. Everyone can find a connection, as we embrace a global culture on our campuses with students representing nearly 150 countries and a selection of nearly 800 student organizations. We invite you to explore more about our university – in person and online – and discover how you can prosper at USF.

Full list of ͵Ƶfacts.

University of ͵Ƶ joins the AAU. Association of American Universities. Image links to the article: "AAU membership to bring extraordinary benefits to USF, Tampa Bay and state of Florida"

͵Ƶjoins prestigious AAU

USF’s historic invitation to join the has taken what many in Tampa Bay have once considered a “best-kept secret” to an unprecedented new level. Being an AAU member is a tremendous milestone for ͵Ƶas it formalizes USF's position as a leading research university. ͵Ƶis the first public university in Florida to be invited to join the AAU in nearly 40 years and is now one of only two institutions from the State University System of Florida to serve as an AAU member.