← Back to University vs University
University of South Florida vs Worcester State University 2026
Who is it for? This comparison is for prospective students weighing financial aid options between University of South Florida and Worcester State University. Both institutions offer merit-based scholarships, but their structures and essay requirements differ significantly.
Institution A
Florida
University of South Florida
Institution B
Massachusetts
Worcester State University
Quick comparison
Scholarships in catalog
University of South Florida
28
Worcester State University
233
Avg. award (where known)
University of South Florida
$1,833
Worcester State University
$1,328
Max award (index signal)
University of South Florida
$6,000
Worcester State University
$5,000
Open deadlines share
University of South Florida
0%
Worcester State University
0%
Merit vs need (approx.)
University of South Florida
Merit 53.6% / Need 46.4%
Worcester State University
Merit 59.7% / Need 40.3%
Public reference data
College cost & outcomes
Official-style college facts matched by school name and state. These figures are separate from ScholarshipTop scholarship totals in the comparison table above.
Visual comparison
In-state tuition
Annual, before aidOut-of-state tuition
Annual, before aidMedian earnings
10 years after entryCompletion rate
Share completing within timeAdmission rate
Share admittedResearch activity comparison
Public research indicators can help compare academic activity; they do not imply scholarship eligibility.
Works count
OpenAlexCitation count
OpenAlexNIH projects
NIH RePORTER aggregateCity rent and wage comparison
Public rent and wage estimates can help compare cost of attendance and relocation planning.
Latest rent estimate
Zillow ZORIHUD 1BR FMR
HUD FMRHUD 2BR FMR
HUD FMRMedian wage
BLS OEWSUniversity of South Florida
In-state tuition
$6,410
Annual, before aid
Out-of-state tuition
$17,324
Annual, before aid
Admission rate
43.2%
Completion rate
76.8%
Median earnings
$57,743
10 years after entry
Enrollment
37,207
Undergraduate headcount
Research and institution context
Public research indicators can help compare academic activity; they do not imply scholarship eligibility.
Works count
128,942
Citation count
7,855,736
NIH projects
3,940
NIH funding band
$1B+
Public research indicators are available from OpenAlex and NIH RePORTER aggregates.
City rent and wage context
Public rent and wage estimates can help compare cost of attendance and relocation planning.
Tampa, FL | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
Latest rent estimate
$1,951
2026-04
12-mo rent change
-1.1%
Zillow ZORI
HUD 1BR FMR
$1,238
Planning estimate
HUD 2BR FMR
$1,459
Planning estimate
- Public metro rent estimates are available for relocation and cost-of-attendance planning; local lease costs can vary within the metro area.
Worcester State University
In-state tuition
$11,786
Annual, before aid
Out-of-state tuition
$17,866
Annual, before aid
Admission rate
88.0%
Completion rate
61.5%
Median earnings
$60,624
10 years after entry
Enrollment
3,930
Undergraduate headcount
Research and institution context
Public research indicators can help compare academic activity; they do not imply scholarship eligibility.
Works count
2,596
Citation count
65,692
ROR identity
04j8de466
OpenAlex identity
I28033587
Public research indicators are available from OpenAlex.
City rent and wage context
Public rent and wage estimates can help compare cost of attendance and relocation planning.
Worcester, MA | Worcester, MA
Latest rent estimate
$2,180
2026-04
12-mo rent change
+1.9%
Zillow ZORI
HUD 1BR FMR
$1,688
Planning estimate
HUD 2BR FMR
$2,161
Planning estimate
- Public metro rent estimates are available for relocation and cost-of-attendance planning; local lease costs can vary within the metro area.
Sources: College Scorecard, OpenAlex, and ROR where matched. Figures may lag the current academic year; verify on the institution site.
Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.
Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.
Financial Aid Overview
The University of South Florida offers a higher average scholarship amount of $1,833 compared to Worcester State University's $1,328. While USF has a higher percentage of merit-based aid at 53.6%, Worcester State leads slightly in need-based aid with 40.3% of students qualifying. USF has a total of 28 grants available, whereas Worcester State has a substantial 233 grants, although none are currently open for application.
Writing efforts
University of South Florida
University of South Florida has no specific essay themes for its grants, indicating a potentially less rigorous writing requirement.
Worcester State University
Worcester State University requires essays for one of its scholarships, with themes focused on education, legal professions, and psychology, suggesting a more structured writing effort.
Final verdict explanation
This “Final verdict explanation” frames 2026 readiness when applicants compare admits between University of South Florida and Worcester State University but matchup prose skews abbreviated. Catalog columns quantify about 28 scholarships indexed today for listings commonly associated with University of South Florida versus about 233 scholarships indexed today for listings commonly associated with Worcester State University with shared ingestion logic so merit-versus-need mixes, openness of deadlines surfaced in-catalog, indexed award placeholders, or coaching guardrails interpret consistently. Treat them as directional triage—they never substitute registrar-validated ledger lines documenting endowed riders, departmental supplements, tuition waivers, Honors stackability, or athletic aid interplay beyond Title IV packaged awards.
Whenever narrative prose feels thin beside detailed tables, pair this matchup with Matches browsing, internationally inclusive corridors, streamlined application corridors, evergreen essay tooling, evergreen resource pillars, and citations listed below inside this page. Continue reconciling FAFSA outputs, institutional notifications, and enrollment contracts with campus counsel until net price matches commitments for 2026 and successive terms; ScholarshipTop catalogs and hubs illuminate workflows but never replace fiduciary advice tied to admitted-student paperwork.
Top grants by university
Largest active university-linked grants first. Each side shows the top three opportunities currently indexed for that school.
Burkette and Beth Burkette Family Scholarship
Education students can compare this scholarship with a listed award of $6,000 and a 05.23.26 deadline while planning eligibility fit and required materials.
The Jill Ann Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Education students can compare this scholarship with a listed award of $5,000 and a 04.15.26 deadline while planning eligibility fit and required materials.
Pat and Harvey Endowed Scholarship
Education students can compare this scholarship with a listed award of $5,000 and a 05.16.26 deadline while planning eligibility fit and required materials.
The Health and Retirement Scholarship
Business Management and Marketing students can compare this scholarship with a listed award of $5,000 and a 04.15.26 deadline while planning eligibility fit and required materials.
04.15.26
deadline passed
$5,000
Award Amount
Direct to student
USF Allen Club Scholarship
Education students can compare this scholarship with a listed award of $3,000 and a 05.16.26 deadline while planning eligibility fit and required materials.
The Rehabilitation Hospital Scholarship
Education students can compare this scholarship with a listed award of $5,000 and a 04.15.26 deadline while planning eligibility fit and required materials.
Match workspace
Find scholarships that fit your profile
Not sure about the location?
Compare Florida vs Massachusetts scholarship markets to see how the broader state climate changes the funding picture.
FAQ
What is the maximum scholarship amount available at USF?
How many grants are available at Worcester State University?
What percentage of students at USF receive need-based aid?
Does Worcester State University have open grants currently?
Sources and official pages
Official university and high-authority pages used to support this comparison.
- Federal Student Aid (U.S. Department of Education) - government reference
- College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) - government reference
- NCES College Navigator - government reference
- Peterson’s College Search - high-authority reference
More guides around this comparison
Internal reading paths for students comparing University of South Florida and Worcester State University, with extra scholarship context and essay-writing support.
Related scholarship articles
- Best Scholarships in Massachusetts for International Students
Explore the best scholarships in Massachusetts for international students, including merit awards, need-based aid, and university funding options at top colleges.
- Scholarships at Columbia University for International Students: What Funding Is Available?
Learn what scholarships and financial aid options Columbia University offers international students, including undergraduate need-based aid, graduate funding, and key application tips.
- Scholarships in the USA for College Students in Dual Degree Programs
Explore real scholarship and financial aid options in the USA for college students in dual degree programs, including merit aid, need-based aid, departmental awards, and university funding tips.
Related essay guides
- How to Write the North Central Massachusetts Chamber Essay
Learn how to plan, draft, and revise a strong scholarship essay for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Scholarships.
- How to Write the PSPA Scholarship Essay
Learn how to plan, draft, and revise a strong essay for the Pennsylvania Society of Public Accountants Scholarships. Use this guide to draft, revise, and apply…
- How to Write the Wozniak Dreamland Scholarship Essay
Learn how to plan, draft, and revise a strong essay for the Vic and Vermell Wozniak Dreamland Endowed Scholarship. Use this guide to draft, revise, and apply w…