What SAT or ACT score do you need for the University of South Florida?: SAT 1140-1330

As of November 2026: The University of South Florida requires freshman applicants to send an SAT, ACT or CLT score for fall 2026 and other terms, and the middle half of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored between 1140 and 1330. On the ACT, the middle half of enrolled first-years who sent one scored between 24 and 29.

A test score is required at the University of South Florida, so the real question is how strong your child's score is. Here is what enrolled first-years sent, what it costs and when to apply.

By Nick Standlea, Test Prep Gurus. Figures may be quoted with attribution to Test Prep Gurus.

A score is required, not optional. The University of South Florida requires freshman applicants to send official results from the SAT, ACT or CLT, and the rule covers fall 2026 and other terms.

The SAT band is 1140 to 1330. That is the middle half of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT. Of all enrolled first-years, 75 percent sent an SAT and 25 percent sent an ACT.

The admit rate was 41 percent for fall 2023. That year 65,187 students applied and 26,727 were admitted, so a strong score is one of the clearest ways a student can stand out.

Does the University of South Florida require the SAT or ACT?

The test policy in the university's own words.

College	Policy	Applies to	In the university's words	Source
University of South Florida	Required	Fall 2026 and other terms (Fall/Summer/Spring all reviewed under the Fall cycle)	USF requires freshman applicants to submit official results for at least one college entrance exam (SAT, ACT or CLT).	Source

Required means a score must be sent with the application.

Scores, odds and costs at the University of South Florida

Score bands for enrolled first-years who sent each test, along with applicants, admits and prices.

Measure	Value
applicants, fall 2023	65187
admits, fall 2023	26727
admit rate, percent	41.0
SAT 25th percentile, enrolled submitters	1140
SAT 75th percentile, enrolled submitters	1330
ACT 25th percentile, enrolled submitters	24
ACT 75th percentile, enrolled submitters	29
share of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT, percent	75
share who sent an ACT, percent	25
application fee, dollars	30
full price of a year, dollars	22859
average net price after aid, dollars	9812

Bands describe enrolled first-years who sent that test in the fall 2023 class.

When are the University of South Florida deadlines for fall 2027?

Deadlines for high school seniors in the 2026-27 school year, who start college in fall 2027.

College	Early action	Regular decision	In the university's words	Source
University of South Florida	2026-11-02	2026-12-16	Early Action: November 2, 2026 ... Regular Decision: December 16, 2026	Source

Early decision and priority dates are not listed.

Does the University of South Florida require the SAT or ACT?

Yes, the University of South Florida requires freshman applicants to send official results from the SAT, ACT or CLT. The rule covers fall 2026, and it covers the summer and spring terms too.

No, the University of South Florida is not test-optional for freshman applicants. In the university's own words: "USF requires freshman applicants to submit official results for at least one college entrance exam (SAT, ACT or CLT)."

We tell families to plan for this from the start. A required test is not a box to check late in senior year. It is a part of the application your child can still change with good prep.

What SAT score do enrolled first-years at the University of South Florida carry?

The middle half of enrolled first-years at the University of South Florida who sent an SAT scored between 1140 and 1330. These numbers describe the fall 2023 class, the latest federal figures.

A quarter of those students scored below 1140, and a quarter scored above 1330. So 1140 is not a floor, and 1330 is not a ceiling. The band simply shows where most of the class landed.

Keep in mind who these students are. They enrolled, and they sent an SAT. The band does not describe everyone who applied or everyone who got in.

What ACT score do enrolled first-years at the University of South Florida carry?

The middle half of enrolled first-years at the University of South Florida who sent an ACT scored between 24 and 29. A quarter scored below 24, and a quarter scored above 29.

The university also accepts the CLT, but no CLT band is reported for enrolled first-years.

Our students often take a practice run of each test before they choose. The SAT and the ACT feel different, and many students find one fits them better. That is the test we tell families to prepare for.

How many University of South Florida first-years send an SAT or an ACT?

Of enrolled first-years at the University of South Florida, 75 percent sent an SAT and 25 percent sent an ACT.

Because a score is required, these shares show which test students chose, not whether they sent one. The SAT is the more common pick here. Still, both tests are accepted, and we suggest choosing the one that fits your child rather than the one most classmates take.

Should my child send a score to the University of South Florida?

Every applicant to the University of South Florida sends a score, so the only question is how strong it is.

Our rule is simple. A score inside or above the band is one to send with confidence: 1140 to 1330 on the SAT, or 24 to 29 on the ACT. A score below the band still has to go in, so the better move is to raise it before the deadline if there is time.

We tell families that the test is one of the few parts of an application a student can improve in a short stretch. Grades take years to build. A score can move with focused prep.

How hard is it to get into the University of South Florida?

The University of South Florida admitted 41 percent of applicants for fall 2023. That year 65,187 students applied and 26,727 were admitted.

We read a score inside the band as one good sign that a student matches the class that enrolls. A score below the band is a reason to keep preparing, not a reason to give up. Grades, courses and the rest of the application all count too.

What does it cost to apply to and attend the University of South Florida?

The application fee at the University of South Florida is $30.

The full price of a year is $22,859, and the average net price after aid is $9,812. The average is only an average. Your family's price may land higher or lower.

Every US college publishes a net price calculator. We tell families to run it with their own income and savings before they decide where to apply.

When are the University of South Florida deadlines for fall 2027?

For fall 2027 entry, the University of South Florida lists an early action deadline of November 2, 2026 and a regular decision deadline of December 16, 2026. These dates are for high school seniors in the 2026-27 school year, who start college in fall 2027.

Early decision and priority dates are not listed. The early action date has passed, so seniors who have not yet applied are working toward December 16, 2026.

What should we do this month?

This month, have your child sit a free full-length mock SAT and a free full-length mock ACT at Test Prep Gurus. Then compare each result with the band: 1140 to 1330 on the SAT, or 24 to 29 on the ACT.

If the score is inside or above the band, your child has a strong score to send. If it is below, plan 6 to 12 weeks of prep before a test date that counts. For seniors, the regular decision deadline is close, so a mock now shows quickly whether to retest or send what they have. Juniors have more room to plan.

Our rule for every sitting is to prepare for the whole test, every section, every time. To book the free mock SAT and free mock ACT, call us at 949.229.5359 or visit https://www.prepgurus.com/take-the-next-step.

Questions parents ask

Does the University of South Florida require the SAT or ACT?
Yes, the University of South Florida requires freshman applicants to send official results from the SAT, ACT or CLT.

Is the University of South Florida test-optional?
No, the University of South Florida is not test-optional for freshman applicants.

What SAT score do students at the University of South Florida have?
The middle half of enrolled first-years at the University of South Florida who sent an SAT scored between 1140 and 1330.

What ACT score do students at the University of South Florida have?
The middle half of enrolled first-years at the University of South Florida who sent an ACT scored between 24 and 29.

Should my child send a score to the University of South Florida?
Every applicant to the University of South Florida sends a score, so the only question is how strong it is.

When is the University of South Florida regular decision deadline?
For fall 2027 entry, the University of South Florida lists an early action deadline of November 2, 2026 and a regular decision deadline of December 16, 2026.

Method and sources: The test policy comes from the University of South Florida's own admissions page and applies to fall 2026 and other terms. The SAT and ACT bands describe enrolled first-years who sent that test in fall 2023, the latest federal file (IPEDS), and the applicant and admit counts come from the same source. Prices come from the College Scorecard, and the bands do not describe every applicant or every admitted student.