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Reviewed on Aug 2, 2025(Enrolled 2024)
What Students Say
Likes
- Library is very useful, has so many books and peaceful too. We also get free softwares which help in studies. The computer labs are also available if you don’t have your own setup.
- Campus is really clean and green. I feel relaxed walking around. It’s not too crowded or noisy so it helps me focus on my classes and assignments. Also feels very safe.
- There are many student jobs inside the campus like in dining, library or offices. It helped me earn and learn at the same time. I got one in my late first semester.
Dislikes
- Very stressful. Courses get full fast and you have to keep checking. Sometimes you miss good subjects.
- Housing and financial aid take time to reply. Not good when you need something quickly.
- Most food places close early. Not helpful if you have late classes or work.
Course Curriculum
8
- The course is not too hard but not easy either. It’s a mix of theory and practical work. We use techniques and tools like Python, Power BI, Tableau, and others in class. Professors teach well and give real examples.
- Sometimes it's hard to get electives you want. Class usually happens once or twice a day, between 9 AM and 9 PM. Most classes have around 30–40 students. Many Indian students are there in the course so it feels comfortable in group work and projects.
Admission Experience
- I applied to 3 colleges—USF, University of Memphis, and University of Missouri–Kansas City. Got admission from all three. No rejections. I chose these because the courses fit what I wanted and were affordable. I didn’t apply to too many; I just focused on a few good ones. I think my SOP and Duolingo score helped. I picked USF finally because of the course, job chances, and location.
- I picked USF because the course matched what I wanted—AI and analytics. The fees were also affordable compared to other colleges. I liked the location and chances for part-time jobs. The admission was online. I sent SOP, LORs, resume, transcripts, and Duolingo score (120). They accepted it, no interview. I got admitted in a month. It was smooth and clear.
- I applied for the Fall 2024 intake. It worked best for me after I finished my degree. I applied in December and uploaded all my documents like SOP, LORs, resume, Duolingo score and transcripts. After that, in January it was under review. I got my admission in February. It didn’t take too long. The process was clear and everything was online. No interview or extra steps. Just waited for the email.
Faculty
8
- The faculty-to-student ratio at the University of South Florida is around 1:20 to 1:30 in most graduate programs. This helps students get more attention from professors and ask questions easily.
- Professors use a mix of theory and practical teaching. They explain concepts clearly and give projects, case studies, and real-world examples. The course content is helpful for learning job-related skills and preparing for careers.
- Some faculty members also help students by sharing job or internship leads through their contacts. This depends on the professor and the program.
- Students usually admire professors who are friendly, clear in their teaching, and have industry experience. These professors make learning easier and more useful.
Campus Life
8
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The University of South Florida has three main campuses:
- Tampa (main campus)
- St. Petersburg
- Sarasota-Manatee
- The Tampa campus is the largest and has all major facilities like a library, gym and sports complex, student center, health center, and cafeterias.
- There are many student clubs and organizations based on interests like culture, technology, music, dance, entrepreneurship, and volunteering. USF also has sports teams and offers facilities for football, basketball, swimming, and tennis.
- Popular events and fests include USF Week, Bullstock, Homecoming, and International Festival. These include concerts, food events, games, and performances.
- Students can join cultural clubs, coding groups, sports teams, or student government. There’s something for everyone, and joining these helps with networking, fun, and skill-building outside the classroom.
Part Time Jobs
- At the University of South Florida, students have access to both on-campus and off-campus part-time job opportunities. On-campus jobs are more common and preferred by international students due to visa rules.
- Common on-campus jobs include working in the library, dining halls, recreation center, tech support, or student offices. These roles usually pay between $11 and $15 per hour.
- International students on an F-1 visa are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours during breaks.
- Most Indian students work part-time on campus because it’s allowed on a student visa. Jobs are in the library, dining, tech support, gym, etc. Pay is around $11 to $15 per hour. TA and RA jobs pay more. It’s hard to get a job in the first semester but gets easier later. We apply on Handshake or by emailing departments. Interviews are short and mostly basic questions.
Placement
8
- Many students get jobs within 6 months after graduation. Around 70–80% find work depending on their field. Average salary is between $70K and $95K.
- People mostly get jobs through LinkedIn, internships, referrals, or applying on company sites. Some got jobs at Deloitte, PwC, Citi, Amazon, CVS, etc. Roles are like data analyst, software engineer, ML engineer and so on.
Accommodation
Off Campus
8
- I stayed off-campus. I found the place through WhatsApp and Facebook groups. Rent was around $600 per month. It had internet, water and trash included, but electricity was extra.
- It was hard to finalize from India without seeing it. I suggest students search early and try to find roommates. My place was 5 mins from campus. Many Indians live in Campus Club, 42 North, ON50, and Lakeview, Cambridge, near Tampa, USF student communities.
Exams
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For admission, I took Duolingo and scored 110. USF also accepts IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. I submitted my SOP, 2 LORs, resume, transcripts, and test score. Everything was uploaded on the portal. There was no interview for my course. The process was easy and online. I just had to wait after submitting all the documents.
Fees
- For my MS in Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics at the University of South Florida, the total tuition fee for the entire program was around $30,000. In addition to tuition, I spent about $12,000 on housing and around $2,000 on other fees, such as health insurance, technology, and student activity fees.
- The fee structure at USF is semester-wise. Each semester, I was billed based on the number of credit hours I registered for. On average, a 3-credit course costs around $1,000–$1,200 per course, and international students typically take 9 credit hours per semester.
Scholarship
- USF offers several scholarships and assistantships for graduate students. These are usually based on academic merit, leadership, research potential, or departmental recommendations.
- Scholarships may include partial tuition waivers or fixed award amounts. The typical award ranges from $1,000 to $5,000, and some assistantships may cover full tuition along with a monthly stipend.
- Many students receive some form of financial aid each year, especially those who apply early and meet eligibility criteria such as strong academic performance, English proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo), and relevant experience.
