Cost of Attendance
International Student Cost of Attendance
Did you know that USF offers one of the lowest tuition rates in the United States? It’s true! We have been nationally recognized for our affordability and value by many outside organizations, including Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and U.S. News & World Report.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees are based on a number of factors, including undergraduate or graduate status, residency and the type of housing chosen. However, our costs are often competitive with the rates at your local university.
Cost of Attendance
As an international student, you are required to show that you have the funds to support yourself for an entire year before you can get a student visa. Please remember:
- Additional costs may be assessed depending on your course of study.
- All international students are required to have health insurance for themselves and their families. Learn more about the health insurance and immunization requirements at USF.
- Tuition and fees are assessed according to the student's Florida residency classification. Most international students are classified as non-Florida residents and pay out-of-state tuition.
- Actual costs of housing are dependent on the type of on-campus or off-campus housing selected. Visit Housing & Residential Education for more information on living on campus at USF.
Use our cost calculator to help estimate your college expenses.
Ways to Save
You can believe us when we say that we strive to make the USF experience as affordable as possible for students and their families.
Learn more about the types of aid available and how to apply below or visit USF’s Office of Financial Aid for more information
Types of Funding
USF has a variety of scholarships, assistantships, fellowships and grants available for international students.
- Scholarships: Money provided to students based on academic performance or talent (e.g., athletics, music, etc.).
- Fellowships & Grants: Funds awarded by national, regional and private organizations to individual students. The USF Office of Graduate Studies also offers a select number of fellowships for graduate students.
- Assistantships: For graduate students, assistantships are available based on funding from the university and grants awarded to faculty. Graduate assistants conduct research, teach or carry out other tasks that contribute to the student’s professional development.
On and Off-Campus Jobs
Working while you study can be a great way to help reduce your tuition bill. As a large metropolitan university, USF offers many employment options for international students, including:
- On-Campus Employment: F-1 visa holders enrolled full-time are allowed to work on campus. J-1 visa holders need written permission from their program sponsor to work on campus.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): An experiential learning benefit granted to F-1 students to work in their major or field of study.
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): An employment option available to F-1 students where the employment counts toward the completion of the degree.
The Work at USF website offers more information about types of student employment and how to successfully prepare for the job search.