What Verdica's 771 score means for University of South Florida
The University of South Florida receives a composite score of 771 out of 850, which places it in the "strong" band (740–799). This score reflects measurable compliance and operational performance across three dimensions: accreditation status, student outcomes, and regulatory adherence. A score in this range indicates that the institution demonstrates solid institutional health and regulatory standing, with no major red flags in the data sources Verdica tracks.
For someone considering enrollment, employment, partnership, or vendor relationships with USF, a 771 score suggests an institution with reliable accreditation backing, acceptable student completion and earnings outcomes, and a clean Title IV compliance record. This is above the "acceptable" threshold (670–739) but below "excellent" (800–850), meaning USF is performing well against regulated benchmarks without exceptional outlier results. The score should be read as a green light, not a yellow light—but it also reflects measured performance rather than top-tier rankings.
How the sub-scores break down
Accreditation: 820. This sub-score reflects the institution's regional and programmatic accreditation status and compliance with accreditor standards. A score of 820 is in the excellent range and indicates that USF holds valid accreditation from recognized bodies and has not faced sanctions, probation, or show-cause orders from its accreditor. In the education industry, accreditation is the foundational compliance requirement; loss of accreditation or accreditor warnings can trigger federal financial aid suspension and rapid institutional decline. USF's accreditation score suggests clean standing with its regional accreditor.
Student Outcomes: 670. This sub-score draws from IPEDS data on completion rates, retention, and post-graduation employment or earnings outcomes. A score of 670 is just at the lower boundary of the "acceptable" band. This suggests that USF's students graduate and enter the labor market, but outcomes are not exceptional compared to peer institutions. This may reflect a mix of program strengths and weaknesses, or a student population with varied socioeconomic backgrounds affecting outcome timelines. This score is neither a warning nor a strength; it indicates typical regional performance.
Compliance: 835. This sub-score reflects Title IV (federal financial aid) compliance, including loan repayment rates, default rates, and audit findings. A score of 835 is in the excellent range and signals that USF administers federal student aid programs without significant violations, investigations, or liabilities. Institutions with poor compliance scores often face Department of Education audits, fines, or restrictions on aid disbursement. USF's strong compliance score indicates competent financial aid administration and no material Title IV violations in the indexed data.
What regulators in FL track for education providers
Florida and federal regulators oversee education providers through three primary mechanisms reflected in Verdica's scoring:
Accreditation is managed by regional accrediting bodies (for USF, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges). These bodies conduct peer reviews every 10 years and monitor compliance with standards on curriculum, faculty, student support, and financial stability. Loss of accreditation is rare but catastrophic.
Title IV Compliance is overseen by the U.S. Department of Education. Regulators track default rates on federal loans, audit findings, and violations of aid disbursement rules. Institutions with cohort default rates above 30% or repeated audit failures can lose eligibility to participate in federal aid programs.
IPEDS Data is collected by the National Center for Education Statistics and includes graduation rates, retention rates, and post-graduation employment and earnings. These metrics do not drive direct sanctions but inform consumers and accreditors about institutional effectiveness.
Bottom line
USF's score of 771 signals a compliant, accredited institution with clean federal financial aid standing and acceptable student outcomes. Before choosing to enroll or partner, cross-check the institution's program-level accreditation in your field of interest, review recent graduate employment rates in your specific program, and confirm current enrollment and aid policies directly with USF's registrar and financial aid office.