The University of South Florida (USF) is welcoming its largest and most academically accomplished incoming class for the summer and fall 2025 terms. The university received a record 71,737 applications, and the academic profile of new students matches the strongest in USF’s history.
The average GPA for the incoming class reached 4.25, tying a university record. The group also posted an average SAT score of 1321, the highest ever at USF. ACT scores increased from 28.15 to 28.49, while CLT scores rose from 85.14 to 91.71 compared to last year.
USF continues to draw students from across the United States and internationally, with this year’s cohort of 6,779 first-time-in-college (FTIC) students representing 45 states and more than 70 countries.
Medical student enrollment is also up at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, where over 130 new students have an average MCAT score of 520—placing them among the top three percent nationwide. This follows USF’s recognition as Florida’s top medical school by U.S. News & World Report.
Students cite academic opportunities and campus community as key reasons for choosing USF.
“I’m so excited to be at USF,” said Stephanie Cely-Guerrero, a business management major who attended Leto High School in Tampa.
Janhavi Gowaikar, one of USF’s National Merit Scholars from Saratoga, California, said: “I wanted to leave California and get out of my comfort zone… I did a lot of research on universities and chose USF after speaking with advisors and faculty here and feeling confident this was a place that would support and work with me. Everyone here was reassuring.”
Ryan Eppert from Cincinnati chose St. Petersburg for its marine biology program: “I toured other Florida colleges but came to USF because of its marine biology program… I feel like I already know everyone here in St. Pete.”
Ariana Bruzon transferred to the Sarasota-Manatee campus seeking both small-campus life and strong academics: “Here, I have more research opportunities while also feeling a strong sense of community. USF offers me everything I need to pursue my career as a licensed therapist.”
Twins Kevin and Sean McCarthy from Naples decided on USF due to its health sciences offerings: “I’m studying health sciences and it’s the No. 1 medical school in Florida,” Sean McCarthy said. Kevin added: “There are so many sports teams to root for and it’s a big, beautiful campus.”
Cely-Guerrero described her early connection through Upward Bound: “I was regularly on campus on Saturday mornings for tutoring and workshops, so USF already felt like home… They helped me build connections within my own community, and I appreciated the mentorship opportunities.”
Campus engagement is high this semester; about 2,300 attended the Week of Welcome Balloon Drop event while more than 5,700 were present at the first home football game—the largest turnout since 2021—and participation in job fairs has increased significantly compared to last year.
Sarah Nolen opted to live on campus despite being local: “I wanted to be part of the community… I’m enjoying grabbing food with my roommates and friends, going to football games and doing things I might not experience if I was commuting.” She joined one of Judy Genshaft Honors College’s largest FTIC classes yet.
Maddux Hawkins changed his major after orientation: “I fell in love with the business program… It’s phenomenal and I realized that’s what I wanted to do.”
Bridgette Donohue traveled from Boise seeking both warm beaches and strong academics: “Academically, USF has everything… USF is where I wanted to be.”
USF officials say these trends reflect growing interest in both academic rigor and student life experiences offered by the university.
