The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is an American metropolitan public research university in Tampa, Florida, United States. USF is also a member institution of the State University System of Florida. Founded in 1956, USF is the fourth-largest public university in the state of Florida, with an enrollment of 50,755 as of the 2018–2019 academic year. The USF system has three institutions: USF Tampa, USF St. Petersburg and USF Sarasota-Manatee.[7] Each institution is separately accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The university is home to 14 colleges, offering more than 80 undergraduate majors and more than 130 graduate, specialist, and doctoral-level degree programs.

USF is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in the top tier of research universities, and is among three other universities in Florida to hold this highest level of classification.[9] In its 2011 ranking, the Intellectual Property Owners Association placed USF 10th among all universities worldwide in the number of US patents granted. The university has an annual budget of $1.5 billion and an annual economic impact of over $3.7 billion. In a ranking compiled by the National Science Foundation, USF ranks 43rd in the United States for total research spending among all universities, public and private.

USF ranks #58 of Top Public Schools and #124 in National Universities according to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report. USF was named a national leader in online education by Guide to Online Schools. USF graduate level programs – including Public Health, Library and Information Studies, Education, and Criminology – continue to rank among the nation's 5 best in the U.S. News & World Report graduate school rankings.

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• From its bustling downtown scene and award-winning beaches to its thriving business climate, University of South Florida offers all the elements for an unforgettable college experience.

• Students work with world-class scholars, experience outstanding facilities and make friends from all 50 US states and more than 140 countries.

• Since 2010, more than 4,000 international students have attended USF to build the skills to succeed on campus, in their careers and for a lifetime.

• Home to 14 academic colleges, USF offers more than 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

• Pathway and English language programs help you integrate into university life while building the foundation for successful undergraduate or graduate study.

• Choose from a variety of programs that begin at any level and lead to more than 240 degrees.