Choosing the right school can be a daunting task. In this article, we will compare two schools: the University of South Florida (USF) and Kennesaw State University (KSU). We will provide an overview of each school, examining factors such as cost, admissions, academics, rankings, and outcomes. We hope that this comparison will help you make an informed decision about your educational future.
University of South Florida (USF) Overview
The University of South Florida is a public research university located in Tampa, Florida. Established in 1956, USF is a member of the State University System of Florida and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. USF offers over 200 programs of study at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, with a strong emphasis on research and innovation.
USF Costs & Tuition
Tuition for in-state undergraduate students at USF is approximately $6,410 per year, while out-of-state students can expect to pay around $17,324 annually. Graduate students can expect to pay around $10,428 per year for in-state tuition and $21,126 for out-of-state tuition. Additional expenses include housing, meals, books, and transportation.
USF Admissions
The University of South Florida has an acceptance rate of around 48%, which is considered moderately selective. Prospective students must submit an application, high school transcripts, and SAT or ACT scores. The average SAT score for admitted students is 1280, while the average ACT score is 29.
USF Degrees Offered
USF offers a wide variety of degrees in fields such as business, engineering, education, health sciences, and the liberal arts. Some of the most popular undergraduate programs include business administration, health sciences, biology, psychology, and engineering. At the graduate level, popular programs include public health, education, engineering, and business administration.
USF Academics
The University of South Florida has a student-faculty ratio of 21:1 and offers a wide range of academic resources for students, including tutoring, academic advising, and research opportunities. USF also emphasizes experiential learning, with numerous opportunities for internships, co-ops, and study abroad experiences.
USF Diversity
USF has a diverse student body, with students representing over 130 countries and all 50 US states. The university is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment and offers various programs and resources to support diversity and inclusion on campus.
USF Students
With over 44,000 students, USF has a vibrant campus life that offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including over 600 student organizations, Greek life, and various sports and recreation options. The university also provides numerous support services to help students succeed, such as career services, counseling, and health services.
USF Campus
The University of South Florida’s main campus is situated on 1,913 acres in Tampa, Florida. The campus is home to state-of-the-art facilities, including research labs, classrooms, and recreational facilities. Students can also enjoy a wide range of dining options, as well as on-campus housing options ranging from traditional dorms to apartment-style living.
USF Alumni
USF boasts a strong alumni network, with over 350,000 alumni worldwide. Many graduates of USF have achieved success in various fields, such as business, healthcare, education, and engineering. The university offers a variety of resources and events for alumni, including networking opportunities, career services, and continued education options.
USF Rankings
USF consistently ranks among the top public schools in the nation. According to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report, USF ranks 46th in Best Public Universities and 103rd in Best National Universities. Additionally, several of USF’s individual programs have received high rankings, including their College of Engineering and College of Public Health.
USF Outcomes
The University of South Florida boasts a strong record of success for its graduates. The overall graduation rate is 73%, and the average starting salary for USF alumni is $45,800. The university also has a strong commitment to fostering research and innovation, with many students and faculty involved in cutting-edge research projects.
Kennesaw State University (KSU) Overview
Kennesaw State University is a public university located in Kennesaw, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Established in 1963, KSU is part of the University System of Georgia and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. KSU offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs, with a focus on providing students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in their chosen fields.
KSU Costs & Tuition
In-state undergraduate students at KSU can expect to pay approximately $7,334 per year in tuition, while out-of-state students will pay around $20,698 annually. Graduate students will pay around $7,134 per year for in-state tuition and $21,496 for out-of-state tuition. Additional expenses include housing, meals, books, and transportation.
KSU Admissions
Kennesaw State University has an acceptance rate of approximately 61%, making it a moderately selective institution. Applicants must submit an application, high school transcripts, and either SAT or ACT scores. The average SAT score for admitted students is 1140, while the average ACT score is 24.
KSU Degrees Offered
KSU offers a wide array of degree programs in fields such as business, education, engineering, health, and the arts. Some of the most popular undergraduate programs at KSU include business administration, nursing, biology, psychology, and information technology. At the graduate level, popular programs include business administration, education, and engineering.
KSU Academics
Kennesaw State University has a student-faculty ratio of 20:1 and offers various academic resources for students, including tutoring, academic advising, and research opportunities. KSU also emphasizes hands-on learning, with many opportunities for internships, co-ops, and study abroad experiences.
KSU Diversity
KSU is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. The university offers a variety of programs and resources to support diversity and inclusion, such as multicultural student affairs, the LGBTQ+ Resource Center, and the Women’s Resource Center.
KSU Students
With over 41,000 students, KSU offers a lively campus environment with numerous extracurricular activities, including over 300 student organizations, Greek life, and various sports and recreational opportunities. The university also provides a range of support services for students, such as career services, counseling, and health services.
KSU Campus
Kennesaw State University’s main campus is located on 588 acres in suburban Kennesaw, Georgia. The campus features modern facilities, including research labs, classrooms, and recreational facilities. Students have access to a variety of dining options and housing options, ranging from traditional dorms to apartment-style living.
KSU Alumni
KSU boasts an active alumni network, with over 100,000 alumni worldwide. Graduates of KSU have found success in various fields, such as business, education, healthcare, and engineering. The university offers numerous resources and events for alumni, including networking opportunities, career services, and continued education options.
KSU Rankings
Kennesaw State University ranks 293rd in Best National Universities and 141st in Top Public Schools, according to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, several of KSU’s individual programs have received high rankings, including their College of Engineering and College of Business.
KSU Outcomes
KSU has a strong record of success for its graduates, with an overall graduation rate of 43%. The average starting salary for KSU alumni is $41,200. The university is also committed to fostering research and innovation, with many students and faculty involved in cutting-edge research projects.
USF vs KSU Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending USF and KSU, there are several factors to consider. In-state undergraduate tuition at USF is slightly lower than at KSU ($6,410 per year vs. $7,334 per year). However, out-of-state undergraduate tuition is slightly higher at USF than at KSU ($17,324 per year vs. $20,698 per year). Graduate tuition costs are also slightly lower at USF for both in-state and out-of-state students.
Additional expenses, such as housing, meals, books, and transportation, should also be considered when comparing the overall cost of attendance at each university.
USF vs KSU Admissions Difficulty
Both USF and KSU are considered moderately selective institutions. USF has a slightly lower acceptance rate (48%) compared to KSU (61%), indicating that it may be more difficult to gain admission to USF. The average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students are also higher at USF (1280 SAT, 29 ACT) than at KSU (1140 SAT, 24 ACT), suggesting that USF may be more competitive in terms of admissions.
USF vs KSU Academic Difficulty
While both universities offer rigorous academic programs, USF is generally considered to be more prestigious and competitive in terms of academics. This is reflected in USF’s higher rankings in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best National Universities and Top Public Schools lists. Additionally, USF offers more research opportunities and has a stronger emphasis on innovation in its programs.
USF vs KSU Outcome Comparison
Overall, USF appears to have better outcomes for its graduates compared to KSU. USF has a higher graduation rate (73% vs. 43%) and a higher average starting salary for alumni ($45,800 vs. $41,200). Both universities have strong commitments to research and innovation, with numerous opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge projects.
In conclusion, while both the University of South Florida and Kennesaw State University offer quality education and numerous opportunities for students, USF appears to have the edge in terms of costs, admissions, academics, and outcomes. However, the right school for you will ultimately depend on your individual needs, goals, and preferences.
