Original reporting: Grace Dola
The University of South Florida’s freshman class is breaking multiple university records.
Before arriving on campus, the USF freshman class of 2026 earned the university’s highest-ever incoming GPA. The class had an average GPA of 4.29, as well as an average SAT score of 1328.
USF also brought in 83 National Merit Scholars; this is a 38% increase from Fall 2025, when there were 60 students.
The top majors that incoming students chose to pursue were biology, biomedical sciences and health sciences. Aligning with USF’s long-term medical history.
Admissions Assistant Vice President Martin Smith explains what’s driving the numbers and how USF continues to grow.
“We are admitting a different student than we were five years ago … than we were three years ago into the fall and into the summer as well,” Smith said.
The Judy Genshaft Honors College also saw growth this fall, welcoming 672 new students and receiving over 4300 applications.
Being located in Tampa Bay and being part of the top 50 public universities, USF has welcomed its largest class in the past five years.
USF President Moez Limayem is hoping the institution will rank among the top 20 schools. USF joined the Association of American Universities in 2023, adding more reasons for it to be high on the list for students.
The Association of American Universities is an organization of leading research universities that promotes academic research, innovation and higher education.
“But more importantly, in terms of internships and careers, Tampa is a great place and gives them that avenue to have the outcomes they want when they graduate in terms of a job,” Smith said.
As USF continues to grow, university leaders say the changing student population and opportunities in Tampa are helping shape the school’s future.