University of South Florida vs The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
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 holds a 5-point ROI advantage over The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, scoring 78/100 versus 73/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of South Florida comes in at $9,812 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,976 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville - a difference of $9,164 annually, or roughly $36,656 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates earn a median of $60,249 compared to $57,743 at University of South Florida. The payback period is 7.9 years at University of South Florida versus 8.6 years at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Graduates leave University of South Florida with a median $17,988 in debt versus $20,500 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. 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... | The University of Tenness... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $6,410 | $13,812 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $17,324 | $33,256 |
| Net Price (avg) | $9,812 | $18,976 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $39,248 | $75,904 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $39,400 | $41,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $57,743 | $60,249 |
| Graduation Rate | 76.8% | 73.9% |
| Payback Period | 7.9 yr | 8.6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,988 | $20,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $191 | $217 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.46 | 0.49 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 65.5% | 76.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 63.7% | 73.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 43.2% | 41.6% |
| Enrollment | 37,207 | 30,418 |
| SAT Range | 1130-1320 | 1200-1370 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of South ... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $4,122 | $10,029 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $5,444 | $12,162 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,326 | $18,206 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,224 | $23,627 |
| $110,001+ | $18,497 | $25,688 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of South ... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $109,054 | $105,834 |
| Industrial Engineering | $90,040 | $107,093 |
| Electrical Engineering | $102,275 | $93,642 |
| Chemical Engineering | $94,387 | $91,643 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $88,249 | $90,623 |
| Accounting | $78,918 | $89,445 |
| Civil Engineering | $84,789 | $80,958 |
| Registered Nursing | $84,694 | $77,118 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $73,933 | $83,793 |
| Statistics | $74,071 | $83,697 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $60,600 | $82,074 |
| Chemistry | $59,942 | $79,736 |
| Marketing | $65,269 | $70,661 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $54,770 | $69,047 |
| Economics | $67,007 | $67,902 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of South ... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 92 | 73 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 76 | 71 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 80 | 75 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 87 | 84 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 28 | 59 |
| Overall ROI Score | 78 | 73 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of South Florida edges out The University of Tennessee-Knoxville by 5 points (78 vs 73), 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
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Fair 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.