College Profile: University of South Florida (USF)

katspitzer
Jul 31
3 min read

Growing up in Florida, I had the chance to see USF several times. But I recently visited and took a tour and I was blown away by the growth of the school and unlimited opportunities for students. This school has continued to grow in stature and reputation and the amazing results for students speak for themselves.

Fun Facts:

Founded in 1956, USF has rapidly grown from a new campus to a major research university.
Rocky D. Bull, the beloved mascot, was introduced in 1962. Rocky’s birthday is celebrated on USF Week in April, and he famously won the 2013 Capital One Mascot Challenge.
USF’s fight song is the Golden Brahman March, and winners are rewarded with March Victorious at home games.
The “Horns Up” hand signal is widely used by students to support athletics and school spirit.

History & Growth:

In just over 60 years, USF has grown into an Association of American Universities (AAU) member, among the youngest institutions to gain this status.
Spread across three Tampa Bay campuses (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota‑Manatee), the university now serves nearly 50,000 students from over 146 countries.
USF offers 200+ programs across 14 colleges, from undergraduate to doctoral levels.
Known for ranking in the top 50 public universities nationwide by U.S. News & World Report for over a decade and recognized as the #1 "best value" university in Florida.

Traditions:

Rocky the Bull & Spirit Songs - Rocky leads spirit at games, often alongside USF’s fight song, Alma Mater, and “March Victorious” after wins.

Herd of Thunder Marching Band (H.O.T.) - Formed in 1999, USF’s marching band energizes football games with iconic moments like the “Call of the Bulls” stampede and fan-favorite chant “The Bull.”

So Flo Rodeo & Beef Studs - At football and basketball games, a painted student section called the So Flo Rodeo and the body-painted "Beef Studs" show fierce support.

Slime Green Jerseys - During “War on I‑4” rivalries—especially against UCF—the Bulls sport neon Slime Green alternate jerseys for added rivalry flair.

Rowdies Cup - USF competes annually against the University of Tampa for the Rowdies Cup, a tradition dating back to the early 1970s in collegiate soccer.

Student Statistics & Campus Life:

Enrollment & Diversity-

Over 48,700 students enrolled across campuses, spanning 146 countries.
Tampa campus alone hosts 44,000+ students from 140+ countries.

Demographics & Outcomes-

Retention rate: 91%;
4-year graduation: ~59%, 6-year: ~74%.

Academic Profile-

Fall 2024 freshmen averaged SAT 1306, high school GPA 4.23, and for medical students MCAT 520/GPA 3.95.
Student‑faculty ratio stands at 22:1, with credit accepted for AP, IB, dual‑enrollment, and study abroad experiences.

Value & Access-

About 35% of students receive Pell Grants, and over 4,000 are first-generation college students.
USF ranks #3 in Florida and #22 nationally for social mobility, and is named a top “best value” school.

Campus Life & Resources:

There are 600+ student clubs, 19 varsity sports, and strong student media like the Oracle newspaper, the first college paper to publish full‑color front‑page photos in 1966.
The Marshall Student Center is the hub of student life: lounges, dining (Chick‑fil‑A, Panera, Subway), study spaces, and student leadership services.
The Recreation & Wellness Center boasts 28,000 sq. ft., intramural sports, fitness classes, and pools, plus satellite gyms across campuses.
USF’s ECORE Greenway, including Botanical Gardens and Forest Preserve, offers natural trails and hands‑on sustainability education.

USF combines big research impact with student opportunity, offering affordability, diversity, innovation, and vibrant campus life. Traditions and spirited athletics turn students into Bulls for life. I was impressed by the enthusiasm I witnessed among students.

College Profile: University of South Florida (USF)

Fun Facts:

Founded in 1956, USF has rapidly grown from a new campus to a major research university.

Rocky D. Bull, the beloved mascot, was introduced in 1962. Rocky’s birthday is celebrated on USF Week in April, and he famously won the 2013 Capital One Mascot Challenge.

USF’s fight song is the Golden Brahman March, and winners are rewarded with March Victorious at home games.

The “Horns Up” hand signal is widely used by students to support athletics and school spirit.

History & Growth:

In just over 60 years, USF has grown into an Association of American Universities (AAU) member, among the youngest institutions to gain this status.

Spread across three Tampa Bay campuses (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota‑Manatee), the university now serves nearly 50,000 students from over 146 countries.

USF offers 200+ programs across 14 colleges, from undergraduate to doctoral levels.

Known for ranking in the top 50 public universities nationwide by U.S. News & World Report for over a decade and recognized as the #1 "best value" university in Florida.

Traditions:

Rocky the Bull & Spirit Songs - Rocky leads spirit at games, often alongside USF’s fight song, Alma Mater, and “March Victorious” after wins.

Herd of Thunder Marching Band (H.O.T.) - Formed in 1999, USF’s marching band energizes football games with iconic moments like the “Call of the Bulls” stampede and fan-favorite chant “The Bull.”

So Flo Rodeo & Beef Studs - At football and basketball games, a painted student section called the So Flo Rodeo and the body-painted "Beef Studs" show fierce support.

Slime Green Jerseys - During “War on I‑4” rivalries—especially against UCF—the Bulls sport neon Slime Green alternate jerseys for added rivalry flair.

Rowdies Cup - USF competes annually against the University of Tampa for the Rowdies Cup, a tradition dating back to the early 1970s in collegiate soccer.

Student Statistics & Campus Life:

Enrollment & Diversity-

Over 48,700 students enrolled across campuses, spanning 146 countries.

Tampa campus alone hosts 44,000+ students from 140+ countries.

Demographics & Outcomes-

Retention rate: 91%;

4-year graduation: ~59%, 6-year: ~74%.

Academic Profile-

Fall 2024 freshmen averaged SAT 1306, high school GPA 4.23, and for medical students MCAT 520/GPA 3.95.

Student‑faculty ratio stands at 22:1, with credit accepted for AP, IB, dual‑enrollment, and study abroad experiences.

Value & Access-

About 35% of students receive Pell Grants, and over 4,000 are first-generation college students.

USF ranks #3 in Florida and #22 nationally for social mobility, and is named a top “best value” school.

Campus Life & Resources:

There are 600+ student clubs, 19 varsity sports, and strong student media like the Oracle newspaper, the first college paper to publish full‑color front‑page photos in 1966.

The Marshall Student Center is the hub of student life: lounges, dining (Chick‑fil‑A, Panera, Subway), study spaces, and student leadership services.

The Recreation & Wellness Center boasts 28,000 sq. ft., intramural sports, fitness classes, and pools, plus satellite gyms across campuses.

USF’s ECORE Greenway, including Botanical Gardens and Forest Preserve, offers natural trails and hands‑on sustainability education.

USF combines big research impact with student opportunity, offering affordability, diversity, innovation, and vibrant campus life. Traditions and spirited athletics turn students into Bulls for life. I was impressed by the enthusiasm I witnessed among students.

If USF sounds like a good fit, I always encourage a tour in person, and definitely check out the website at https://www.usf.edu/.

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