When talking about colleges for children while living in Tampa, the University of South Florida, or USF, is a school that always comes up.

At first, I thought it was a school located in the southern part of Florida because of its name. However, the main campus is actually north of Tampa, and when you visit, you can see that it is quite large.

There are many students, and the area around the campus is filled with apartments, restaurants, and hospitals, giving it a college town vibe.

USF is one of the major public research universities representing Florida. It is particularly well-known for its programs in medicine and health, engineering, and business. The Morsani College of Medicine has a large scale of medical education and research and is closely connected to Tampa General Hospital.

From a Korean parent's perspective, the tuition costs are especially noteworthy.

For the 2026-27 academic year, the tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students are about $5,960 per year.

Out-of-state students pay around $18,846. Even though it's the same school, there is a difference of nearly $13,000 per year depending on whether you qualify as a Florida resident.

Therefore, for families raising children in Tampa, USF can be a very realistic choice.

If students can live with their parents, they can significantly reduce costs for dorms and living expenses.

Of course, college costs do not end with tuition. According to the school's estimated total costs for the 2026-27 academic year, if living separately from parents, in-state students can expect to pay about $25,800 per year, including housing, food, textbooks, and transportation.

Dorm costs also vary significantly, ranging from about $6,000 to over $13,000 per year depending on the type.

Still, compared to private universities, the difference in tuition is clear.

In downtown Tampa, there is also the University of Tampa (UT). It is a private university located right next to the Hillsborough River, and the campus is really beautiful.

It is smaller than USF and is also well-known for its business programs.

However, the costs are quite high. For the 2026-27 academic year, the undergraduate tuition alone is $34,716 per year, and with mandatory fees, it exceeds $37,000.

The estimated direct costs, including dorm and food, are about $52,800.

When compared to USF's in-state tuition of about $6,000, the numbers are striking for parents.

That said, UT cannot be dismissed as simply expensive. The actual amount paid can vary after receiving scholarships and financial aid, so it is important to compare the Financial Aid Packages presented after acceptance.

Campus life at USF is also quite active. There are large libraries, sports facilities, and student centers, and you can enjoy college sports like football and basketball with the USF Bulls.

There are also opportunities to interact with Korean students. Therefore, for families settling in Tampa while raising children, it is not necessary to only consider the school districts for elementary and middle schools.

Having a large public university that students can commute to after graduating high school is a significant advantage.

Especially if they can commute from their parents' home while receiving in-state tuition, it creates the possibility of reducing the two most daunting costs of college education in the U.S.: tuition and housing.

I believe this is why USF is often mentioned when people say that Tampa is a good place to raise kids.