University of South Florida vs Auburn University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of South Florida and Auburn University are closely matched on financial return. University of South Florida scores 78/100 while Auburn University scores 76/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of South Florida comes in at $9,812 per year (net price after aid) versus $24,323 at Auburn University - a difference of $14,511 annually, or roughly $58,044 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Auburn University graduates earn a median of $65,337 compared to $57,743 at University of South Florida. The payback period is 7.9 years at University of South Florida versus 7.8 years at Auburn University.
Graduates leave University of South Florida with a median $17,988 in debt versus $21,000 at Auburn University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.46 and 0.49 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of South Flori... | Auburn University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $6,410 | $12,890 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $17,324 | $34,922 |
| Net Price (avg) | $9,812 | $24,323 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $39,248 | $97,292 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $39,400 | $43,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $57,743 | $65,337 |
| Graduation Rate | 76.8% | 82.0% |
| Payback Period | 7.9 yr | 7.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,988 | $21,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $191 | $223 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.46 | 0.49 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 65.5% | 81.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 63.7% | 78.1% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 43.2% | 45.9% |
| Enrollment | 37,207 | 26,816 |
| SAT Range | 1130-1320 | 1260-1390 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of South ... | Auburn University |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $4,122 | $16,681 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $5,444 | $17,627 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,326 | $20,558 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,224 | $25,808 |
| $110,001+ | $18,497 | $29,547 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of South ... | Auburn University |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $109,054 | $110,927 |
| Chemical Engineering | $94,387 | $106,726 |
| Electrical Engineering | $102,275 | $99,799 |
| Industrial Engineering | $90,040 | $99,441 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $88,249 | $93,246 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $90,953 | $91,087 |
| Accounting | $78,918 | $86,222 |
| Civil Engineering | $84,789 | $79,778 |
| Registered Nursing | $84,694 | $73,228 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $73,933 | $84,352 |
| Biology | $49,395 | $83,053 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $60,600 | $80,323 |
| International Business | $66,141 | $80,076 |
| Marketing | $65,269 | $74,702 |
| Economics | $67,007 | $72,617 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of South ... | Auburn University |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 92 | 69 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 76 | 77 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 80 | 76 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 87 | 91 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 28 | 74 |
| Overall ROI Score | 78 | 76 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of South Florida edges out Auburn University by 2 points (78 vs 76), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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University of South Florida
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Auburn University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.