University of Tampa Acceptance Rate, Ranking, & Tuition (2025)

October 31, 2025

university of tampa acceptance rate tuition ranking

The University of Tampa (UT) is a mid-sized, private university located along the riverfront in Tampa, Florida. The student body is composed of just over 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students, with around 50% hailing from Florida. The other 50% are from all 50 states and “most of the world’s countries.” In fact, the student body includes about 1,200 international students. In a recent year, 98% of UT undergraduate students are full-time. Are you interested in applying to the University of Tampa? In this article, we will discuss the University of Tampa acceptance rate, ranking, notable alumni, majors, and tuition costs. First, though, let鈥檚 dive into a general overview.

University of Tampa Overview

 The University of Tampa is accredited by the , which accredits educational institutions in the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

UT offers over , including 19 master鈥檚 degree programs and two doctorate programs, and is organized into four colleges:

  • , with undergraduate programs in Art and Design; Communication; English and Writing; Film, Animation, and New Media; Languages and Linguistics; Music; Philosophy and Religion; and Theatre and Dance
  • , with undergraduate programs in Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Environmental Studies, Health Sciences and Human Performance, Nursing, Physics and Astronomy, and Sport Management
  • , with undergraduate programs in Computer Science; Criminology and Criminal Justice; Education; History, Sociology, Geography, and Legal Studies; Mathematics; Political Science and International Studies; and Psychology
  • , with undergraduate programs in Accounting, Business Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Financial Enterprise Systems, International Business, Leadership Studies, Management, Management Information Systems, and Marketing

The most popular undergraduate majors include:

  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Allied Health
  • International Business
  • Biology/Environmental Science
  • Psychology
  • Criminology and Criminal Justice

The average class size at the University of Tampa is 21, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 1:17. UT offers , , and opportunities for e. and opportunities are also prioritized.

In terms of extracurricular opportunities, students can choose between over , including . UT also has and a student-run television station, newspaper, and radio station.

The compete in the NCAA Division II Sunshine State Conference. UT has won 22 NCAA Division II championships in baseball, lacrosse, men鈥檚 golf, men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 soccer, women鈥檚 volleyball, and women鈥檚 beach volleyball.

University of Tampa Mission Statement

The reads, in part:

UT is committed to the development of each student to become a productive and responsible citizen. The University conducts classes in personalized settings in which learning is enhanced through application by balancing 鈥渓earning by thinking鈥 with 鈥渓earning by doing.鈥 Students are taught by highly qualified faculty members dedicated to teaching, scholarship, advising and continued intellectual growth. Students participate in learning partnerships with faculty and the community through clinical and consulting assignments, internships and research experiences. Academic services and co-curricular activities support individual well-being and development, and provide leadership opportunities. UT strives to provide a rich and inclusive learning environment for all students to prepare them for careers and lifelong learning. 

Where is the University of Tampa?

The University of Tampa campus has a storied history. In 1931, the private Tampa Junior College was founded as one of the first higher education institutions in the Tampa Bay area. Fun fact: enrollment in 1931 was a whopping 67 students!

In 1933, the institution moved to its current location on the grounds of the recently closed Tampa Bay Hotel, built by railroad and shipping magnate Henry B. Plant in 1981 directly across the Hillsborough River from downtown Tampa. Both Plant and the Tampa Bay Hotel are credited with the transformation and popularization of Tampa. The 511-room, 5-story hotel was designed as a grand winter resort, and is architecturally-distinctive鈥攖opped by Moorish minarets, domes, and cupolas. Teddy Roosevelt, the Queen of England, and Babe Ruth all stayed at the hotel throughout its history.

After its move, Tampa Junior College expanded its offerings and became the University of Tampa. Today, the former Tampa Bay Hotel is known as Plant Hall and is a National Historic Landmark. Plant Hall serves as the foundation of the 110-acre, 71-building University of Tampa campus, and also houses the The campus also includes modern additions and facilities, including the and the , which opened in 2021.

The renowned, 3,000-square-foot is located at Bayside Marina, about 20 minutes from campus. The facility includes a wet laboratory as well as a dry lab/classroom, a scuba storage area, lockers, showers, and boat slip. The wet lab boasts a recirculating/flow-through seawater system.

About half of the UT student body lives on campus, including most first-year students, who receive priority. The campus includes

Tampa Bay, Florida

2.7 million people live in the Tampa Bay area, making it West Central Florida鈥檚 center of government, commerce, communications, business, health care, sports, and entertainment. Tampa residents enjoy a high quality of life, helped in part by the beautiful beaches and warm, sunny weather. Recreational opportunities abound, and UT offers a

The University of Tampa campus is close to the , , and the , among numerous other attractions. For football fans, Tampa is home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Raymond James Stadium.

Besides the University of Tampa, Tampa is also home to three other institutions of higher education鈥, and the 鈥攎aking Tampa a bona fide college town.

University of Tampa Acceptance Rate

The University of Tampa is very selective, with an acceptance rate of around 40%. Enrollment has been increasing every year since 1995, but applications are increasing as well. Unfortunately, the University of Tampa is notoriously reluctant to share its data, even . For the 2023-2024 academic year, the University of Tampa received a record 35,351 applications for the entering first-year class of 2,898 undergraduates.

The average SAT score is 1,230 (though the University of Tampa is a test-optional school, and only about 20% of applicants submit scores). The average high school GPA is 3.6 (on a 4.0) unweighted scale.

The University of Tampa tends to attract more women than men, with a student body percentage of around 59% women and 41% men.

University of Tampa Ranking

ranks the University of Tampa #13 in and #34 in Best Value Schools.

University of Tampa Tuition

In . On-campus living expenses (housing and food) are $14,944/year. Hence:

  • Estimated Direct Costs for On-Campus Undergraduates: $50,688
  • Estimated Direct Costs for Off-Campus Undergraduates: $35,744

In addition, UT recommends budgeting for 鈥渋ndirect costs鈥 including personal expenses, transportation, and books.

  • Estimated Indirect Costs for On-Campus Undergraduates: $9,130
  • Estimated Indirect Costs for Off-Campus Students (including living expenses): $24,630.

Therefore, the total COA (Cost of Attendance) for the 2025-2026 school year is estimated to be around $60,000.

At the University of Tampa, approximately 90% of students receive . Florida residents can take advantage of , including the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. , and UT covers up to 100% of the tuition and fees of veterans eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Work-study opportunities are plentiful, and about 1,700 students are employed on campus.

University of Tampa Academic Calendar

At the University of Tampa, the . The fall semester begins in late August (although registration begins in early August), and concludes mid-December. The spring semester begins in mid-January, and concludes in early-May. UT also offers a 鈥淲inter Intercession鈥 from early to mid-January, a 鈥淢ay Term鈥 from early to mid-May, and various summer school options.

University of Tampa Notable Alumni

Notable alumni include:

  • Jane Castor 鈥81, 59th Mayor of Tampa and 31-year Veteran of the Tampa Police Department
  • Nneka Jones 鈥20, Artist and Activist
  • Connie May Fowler 鈥82, Novelist, Memoirist, and Screenwriter
  • Tino Martinez 鈥11, Major League Baseball Player
  • Brad Schiff 鈥93, Animation Supervisor at LAIKA

How to Apply to the University of Tampa

To apply to the University of Tampa, students can use the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or UT鈥檚 online Application. Admission is contingent on graduation from high school or acceptable scores on the GED. Decisions are made following three deadlines:

  • November 1鈥擡arly Decision Deadline
  • November 15鈥擡arly Action Deadline
  • January 15鈥擱egular Decision Deadline

From January 16, applications are evaluated on a rolling basis.

In addition, some majors require separate departmental applications and/or requirements:

  • Education (separate application after completion of first 30 credit hours)
  • Nursing (separate application after completion of all pre-nursing prerequisites)
  • Music (audition required)
  • Musical Theatre (audition required)
  • Theatre (audition required)
  • Dance (audition required)

UT aims to review student applications holistically, meaning that while academic accomplishments are the dominating factor when evaluating students and making admissions decisions, the Admissions Review Committee is also interested in student character, leadership, and community service.

The University of Tampa is also a test-optional school, meaning they do not require submission of SAT or ACT test scores for admission (although applicants may choose to submit test scores).

UT awards course credit for acceptable scores on AP tests, CLEP examinations, and IB course exams.

Potential applicants are encouraged to . Virtual tours are also available.

Ready to start working on your applications? Consider checking out the following: