Been thinking abt doing MS in computer science at University of South Florida but I dont know how good it is. Alos is the tuition okay for Indian students? What’s the living cost in Tampa like? Also is it hard to get TA jobs or part-time?
I also keep hearing about University of Florida MS being way better?? Is it still worth it?
University of South Florida (USF) – MS in CS
Academics: USF has a solid CS program, especially strong in areas like cybersecurity, data science, and AI. It’s not ranked as high as top-tier schools, but it’s growing fast in research and infrastructure.
Accreditation: It’s ABET-accredited, which is a good sign for CS and engineering programs.
Faculty: Decent faculty with active research—check their individual profiles if you have a specific interest.
Tuition Fees for Indian Students
Tuition for MS (non-resident) is about $18,000–$22,000 per year.
After including all other fees and insurance, the total cost for 2 years is roughly $40,000–$45,000 (₹35–38 lakhs).
Scholarships are limited, but you can reduce costs if you get a TA or RA.
Living Costs in Tampa
Tampa is moderately affordable compared to bigger cities.
Rent + utilities: ~$700–$900/month (shared accommodation)
Food, transport, personal expenses: ~$300–$400/month
So, expect $1000–$1300/month for living comfortably.
TA/RA Jobs & On-campus Work
TA/RA roles are competitive, especially in your first semester.
You’ll have better chances if you have good academic/research background or build rapport with professors.
On-campus jobs (library, dining, admin) are usually available and pay ~$10–$15/hour.
I’m actually hoping to apply to USF next year too 
I looked into it a bit … tuition’s not that bad compared to other universities, around $17k–$18k/year (INR 14–15 lakhs). And Tampa seems pretty chill for students, way cheaper than like California. I saw in some YT vlogs that part-times are possible but might take time to find one. TA stuff looks competitive but if you are good at coding or have experience, maybe after 1st sem.
Job-wise I think students go out of Florida too for better offers, like to Texas, NY, etc.