BA General Studies - Aging Sciences at USF Tampa: Fees 2026 Dates & Requirements

University of South Florida Bachelor of General Studies in Aging Sciences is a four-year undergraduate programme designed for international students pursuing careers in gerontology and eldercare. The degree trains graduates to work across healthcare, social services, and policy sectors serving aging populations. Tuition costs USD 26,400 annually (INR 25.18 Lakhs) with total programme fees approximately USD 105,600 (INR 1.01 Crores) over four years. Applications for Fall 2027 intake are expected to close on November 1, 2026. Delivered on USF’s Tampa campus, this programme combines liberal arts foundations with specialized aging-studies coursework and includes a 400-hour practicum requirement.

The School of Aging Studies at USF is multidisciplinary, drawing faculty expertise from psychology, public health, nursing, social work, and economics. Graduates become geriatric care managers, program planners, and client navigators in hospitals, long-term care facilities, nonprofits, and government agencies. Aging Sciences teaches you to navigate the biological, psychological, social, and policy dimensions of an aging society. What sets this programme apart is its emphasis on hands-on practicum work and research-backed curriculum designed around real workforce shortages in senior care. Indian applicants should note that USA welcomes gerontology graduates onto the PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) pathway for up to three years of post-study work.

• Practicum-based learning with 400 hours of supervised field experience across healthcare and community settings.
• Access to USF merit scholarships for international students ranging from USD 3,000 to USD 6,000 annually.
• Post-study work eligibility in the USA for three years via OPT (Optional Practical Training) following graduation.

Also Check: University of South Florida Bachelor Admission

University of South Florida Bachelor Aging Sciences Fees 2027

International tuition at USF for the Bachelor of General Studies programme is USD 26,400 per academic year. Additional mandatory fees include technology services (USD 600), health insurance (USD 1,500), and student services (USD 1,200). The combined annual cost of attendance totals USD 29,700 (INR 28.33 Lakhs).

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.26 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

• Tuition covers classroom instruction, campus facilities, and library access for full-time undergraduate status (12 to 18 credit hours per semester).
• Technology fees fund online learning platforms, student portals, and campus WiFi infrastructure.
• Health insurance is mandatory and covers emergency and routine medical care; uninsured international students cannot enroll.
• Student services fee provides access to counselling, career services, and student organizations.

Cost of Living in Tampa for Aging Sciences Students

Tampa is a mid-cost US city with lower living expenses than Boston or New York. Rent for shared apartments near campus runs USD 900 to USD 1,100 per month. Groceries, utilities, and transportation combined average USD 930 monthly. Monthly cost of living ranges from USD 1,830 to USD 1,930 (INR 1.74 to 1.84 Lakhs). Annual living costs total USD 21,960 to USD 23,160 (INR 20.94 to 22.09 Lakhs).

Cost Reality: Combined annual cost of tuition plus living expenses is approximately USD 51,660 to USD 52,860 (INR 49.27 to 50.42 Lakhs). Most international students work part-time (up to 20 hours weekly) to offset living costs, earning USD 15-18 per hour on campus.

University of South Florida Bachelor Aging Sciences Admission 2027

USF admits international students for Fall, Spring, and Summer intakes. The Fall intake (August-December) is most popular and captures largest cohort volume. Spring (January-May) and Summer (May-August) intakes are smaller but equally welcoming to Indian applicants. Admission is moderately competitive with a 40-44% acceptance rate across all undergraduate programmes.

Academic eligibility requires a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent from secondary education. Applicants with 2.8-2.99 GPA may be considered with strong standardized test scores. All applicants must hold a valid passport and demonstrate financial capacity to support four years of study.

English Language Proficiency for Aging Sciences Students

All non-native English speakers must demonstrate proficiency through one of the following tests. Minimum scores are set at USF’s institutional level and apply across all undergraduate programmes, including Aging Sciences.

• TOEFL is most widely recognized by USF; exam costs USD 280 and requires 10-15 days for score release after sitting.
• IELTS requires 5-7 days for results; cost is USD 250; Indian students often find this familiar due to widespread British English exposure.
• Duolingo is fastest pathway (results same day) and lowest cost (USD 49), making it attractive for urgent applications; however, not all programmes accept it equally—confirm with admissions.
• PTE requires 5 business days for results and costs USD 160; less common among Indian applicants but carries equal weight at USF.

Preparation Tip for Indian Students: Most Indian applicants achieve IELTS 6.5-7.0 within 3-4 months of focused prep. If English-medium schooling completed in India, consider test-optional Duolingo to accelerate application timeline.

University of South Florida Bachelor Aging Sciences Application 2027

USF uses the Common Application platform for undergraduate admissions. Apply online at commonapp.org, select University of South Florida, and choose the programme as "Bachelor of General Studies - Aging Sciences." Submission requires secondary school transcripts, language proficiency test scores, and a brief personal statement (250-300 words).

• Application fee is USD 30 and is non-refundable; fee waivers available for students demonstrating financial hardship via Common Application prompt.
• WES credential evaluation (USD 200) must be completed and forwarded to USF admissions before documents are considered complete.
• Personal statement should explain your interest in aging studies, relevant volunteer experience, or career goals in gerontology.
• Transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary institutions must be submitted; incomplete applications extend decision timelines by 2-4 weeks.

Application Reality: Indian applicants typically take 8-12 weeks from application start to document completion due to WES processing and transcript courier. Apply by mid-September for Fall intake to avoid deadline crunch.

University of South Florida Bachelor Aging Sciences Scholarships 2027

USF awards merit scholarships to international applicants based on academic performance. Merit scholarships range from USD 3,000 to USD 6,000 annually and reduce four-year total cost from USD 118,800 to USD 106,800 (INR 1.13 Crores to INR 1.02 Crores). Approximately 15% of international students receive merit awards at USF. All international applicants are automatically considered; no separate scholarship application is required.

The Green and Gold Scholar programme offers additional awards: USD 5,000 (Scholars level), USD 9,000 (Directors level), or USD 11,000 (Presidential level) annually. These awards are highly competitive and require GPA above 3.5 and strong test scores. International Excellence Awards provide USD 3,000-6,000 annually based on overall profile, with decision made alongside admissions.

Scholarship Reality: Most international Aging Sciences students receive between USD 3,000-5,000 annually, reducing annual cost from USD 29,700 to USD 24,700-26,700 (INR 23.56-25.48 Lakhs). Four-year scholarship total saves INR 15-20 Lakhs on overall programme cost.

Read More: University of South Florida Scholarships for International Students

University of South Florida Bachelor Aging Sciences Salary 2027

Graduates of USF’s Aging Sciences programme secure entry-level positions within 6-8 months of graduation across diverse roles. Career paths include geriatric care management (USD 65,000-75,000 annually), community programme planning (USD 58,000-68,000), and social services coordination (USD 52,000-62,000). Starting salaries are gross income before federal and state taxes, which typically reduce take-home by 20-25%.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2026) and gerontology career surveys; individual salary outcomes vary by location, employer, and specialization.

Take-home salary after federal income tax (12-22%), FICA (7.65%), and state tax (varies by employer location) ranges from USD 45,000-58,000 annually (INR 42.87-55.25 Lakhs). H1B visa sponsorship is available to international graduates seeking to remain in the USA; employers typically sponsor candidates in management or specialized roles earning above USD 60,000 annually.

ROI Reality: Total four-year programme cost of USD 118,800 (INR 1.13 Crores) is recovered in approximately 2.5-3 years of post-graduation employment at median Aging Sciences salaries. Graduates working in non-profit or government sectors may pursue Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 10 years, reducing loan burden significantly.

Check Out: USA Post-Study Work Visa and Employment Sponsorship

USA Visa Pathway for Aging Sciences Students

All international students at USF study on an F-1 Student Visa, which permits full-time enrollment and limited campus employment (up to 20 hours weekly during academic terms). Upon graduation, F-1 students are automatically eligible for OPT (Optional Practical Training), a post-study work permit valid for up to 24 months. STEM-related extensions are not applicable to Aging Sciences, but the base 24-month OPT allows graduates to work for any employer nationwide.

• OPT employment is not limited to a single employer; you may change jobs freely during the 24-month window without special immigration processing.
• H1B visa sponsorship becomes available after 24 months of OPT work if an employer wishes to retain you beyond that period; salary must exceed USD 60,000 annually and employer must demonstrate labour unavailability.
• Spouses of F-1 students may apply for dependent F-2 status and attend school or work (with OPT after graduation); dependent children under 21 may join on F-2 dependent visas.
• OPT employment counts toward EB-3 employment-based green card eligibility after H1B sponsorship; most pathway holders reach green card interview within 4-6 years of H1B filing.

Visa Reality: OPT work as an Aging Sciences graduate is employer-sponsored; you must secure employment before OPT start date to avoid status violation. Most Aging Sciences graduates on OPT work in non-profit hospitals or government agencies, which sponsor H1B pathways readily due to workforce shortages.

Also Check: USA Student Visa (F-1) Requirements and Process

University of South Florida Aging Sciences Ranking 2026

USF does not hold a subject-level ranking specifically for Aging Sciences or Gerontology programmes from QS, THE, ARWU, or US News World Reports. However, the university overall ranks #654 globally on the QS World University Rankings 2026 and is positioned in the #351-400 band by THE World University Rankings 2026. Among US public universities, USF ranks in the top 150 institutions for research output in social sciences, including gerontology and public health disciplines.

The School of Aging Studies at USF is recognized for its research contributions in cognitive aging, long-term care policy, and health disparities among aging populations. Faculty publish regularly in peer-reviewed journals and secure NIH (National Institutes of Health) grants for aging-related research. While no programme-specific ranking exists, the university’s broad research strength in aging sciences underscores the academic credibility of the undergraduate curriculum.

Ranking Context: Undergraduates in Aging Sciences benefit from faculty actively conducting research; opportunities exist for final-year students to join research projects or thesis work as part of coursework or practicum placements, providing portfolio-building experience for graduate school or professional roles.