Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tampa, Florida
40.9% Acceptance Rate
The University of Tampa — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
40.9%Acceptance Rate
3.5Avg GPA
1155Avg SAT
$49,841Annual Cost
$59,436Grad Salary
15.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
40.9%
Avg GPA
3.5
Avg SAT
1155
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1115–1185
Need-Based Aid
15.6% receive Pell
The University of Tampa (UT), established in 1931, is a private comprehensive university known for its beautiful riverfront campus in downtown Tampa. UT offers over 200 academic programs across four colleges, with particular strengths in business, marine science, and film & media arts. The university's 110-acre campus features Plant Hall, a National Historic Landmark, and state-of-the-art facilities like the Graduate and Health Studies Building.
UT's location in Florida's business and cultural hub provides abundant internship opportunities. The university's NCAA Division II athletics and 200+ student organizations create a vibrant campus life. UT's commitment to global education includes study abroad programs on six continents. Alumni include CEOs, professional athletes, and leaders in diverse fields who credit UT with providing practical, career-focused education in a supportive environment.
The University of Tampa Acceptance Rate
The University of Tampa is selective but reasonable. About 40.9% of applicants (41 per 100) are admitted each cycle.
What The University of Tampa Admissions Looks For
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 40.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.05
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
The University of Tampa Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The University of Tampa follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 85 days left — Early Decision
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
The University of Tampa reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Decision
November 1
Early Action
November 15
Regular Decision
January 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
The University of Tampa GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at The University of Tampa is 3.5. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.20 and 3.5? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.70–3.90.The University of Tampa GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.10 – 3.29
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.09
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- The University of Tampa reviews applications on a continuous rolling basis for fall, spring, and summer terms, making early application submission highly advantageous for competitive placement.
- Transfer applicants face a strict residency requirement, mandating that the final 31 credit hours of their bachelor's degree must be completed directly in residence at UT to secure graduation.
- The university utilizes localized historical tracking data to deliver official transfer credit evaluations within two to three weeks of an applicant's formal acceptance to the institution.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at The University of Tampa
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on The University of Tampa's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
The University of Tampa Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if The University of Tampa is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into The University of Tampa Without SAT or ACT?
The University of Tampa neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average. Otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
The University of Tampa Average SAT Score: 1155
The average SAT score of admitted students at The University of Tampa is 1155 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1155 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1185 SAT) to stand out. Below average? The University of Tampa allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1115, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at The University of Tampa. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1155 | 1115 | 1185 |
Below 1115, you're behind most admitted students; at 1185 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into The University of Tampa with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of The University of Tampa's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for The University of Tampa
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At The University of Tampa, admissions looks for reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to land as a top-tier applicant. That's what triggers both admission and the best merit aid.
Secure Early Strategic Placement to Leverage Rolling Admissions Capacity Limits
The University of Tampa (UT) operates under a rolling admissions structure, reviewing student files chronologically as they become complete. Because class seats fill up progressively throughout the cycle, applying early in the fall of your senior year offers a substantial strategic advantage. Once programmatic thresholds are met, competition intensifies dramatically, forcing the admissions desk to apply much higher GPA and course profile requirements. For specialized pathways, transmitting your official high school transcripts and complete documentation early ensures your file is evaluated when freshman pool capacity and institutional merit aid allocations are at their highest.
Optimize Transcript Rigor Against Recalculated Institutional Core Requirements
While UT utilizes a holistic application review, the core baseline of academic competitiveness is driven by the depth and rigor of your high school transcript. The admissions committee strips away non-academic electives to evaluate your core GPA across English, math, science, social studies, and foreign languages. To distinguish your file within a large national applicant pool, you must pursue advanced coursework-such as Honors, AP, or IB classes-and protect your marks. A downward trend in grades or an unexcused drop in senior year course difficulty will compromise your internal academic index, frequently resulting in a prompt deferral or denial.
Deploy Targeted Narrative Depth in the Primary Essay to Display Institutional Fit
Because UT does not mandate campus interviews for general freshman admission, your primary personal statement must carry the entire burden of defining your institutional alignment. Avoid submitting generic essays that focus on broad geographical appeal or vacation themes. Instead, use your written text to articulate an ambitious intellectual journey, highlighting specific academic departments, hands-on learning goals, or collaborative leadership experiences. Showcasing mature personal growth and self-reflection proves to the committee that you are prepared for the academic and cultural environment of the campus.
Prepare for Post-Admission Verification and Final Document Compliance Milestones
Securing an initial conditional offer of admission to UT requires steady maintenance of your academic standing through high school graduation. The university enforces a strict final transcript audit to verify that your self-reported data matches official high school records. Dropping planned advanced classes or receiving grades below a 'C' during your final semester will trigger an immediate administrative review of your file. Additionally, international or specialized tracking students must promptly coordinate official external evaluations and mandatory financial verifications to formalize their enrollment and secure class registration positions.
Expert Insight: Treating The University of Tampa?s application as a casual submission without monitoring your data tracking portal is a critical strategic failure-because the university utilizes a rolling format with strict capacity limits, allowing required documents to linger unsubmitted will stall your file's evaluation and significantly decrease your probability of acceptance, regardless of your generalized statistics.
The University of Tampa Profile
Full Name
The University of Tampa
City
Tampa
State
Florida
ZIP Code
33606-1490
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a The University of Tampa Degree Worth It?
The University of Tampa offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $71,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.97%.
How much does a degree from The University of Tampa Cost?
The sticker price is $49,841/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
15.6% of students receive a Pell Grant and 67.9% take federal loans at The University of Tampa. File your FAFSA early and list The University of Tampa as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a The University of Tampa Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $59,436. That's about 46% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than The University of Tampa. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | 1119 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as The University of Tampa. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than The University of Tampa. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at The University of Tampa
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About The University of Tampa Admissions
Median graduate earnings at The University of Tampa run about $59,436 a year.
The University of Tampa costs roughly $49,841 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
The University of Tampa's Pell Grant rate of 15.6% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 40.9%, The University of Tampa's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at The University of Tampa average a 3.5 GPA.
The University of Tampa doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.2 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.1, The University of Tampa becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at The University of Tampa — aim above 1155, ideally within the 1115–1185 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for The University of Tampa is November 1 for Early Decision applicants. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 40. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.