University of Tampa (UT)

The University of Tampa is a private, medium-sized, liberal arts university in the heart of Tampa, Florida. With 11,000 students (10,000 full-time undergraduates) from all 50 states and 130 countries, UT provides a diverse and dynamic environment for students to begin their studies, establish their career-path, and make lifelong connections. Offering over 200 areas of study, UT couples small, discussion-based classroom environments with real-world learning experiences to set students up for success. Situated on a beautiful 110-acre campus along the Hillsborough River, the University's location within downtown Tampa is unmatched, providing students walking access to hundreds of internship, job, and research opportunities. Students enjoy a traditional, self-contained campus only steps away from the professional and cultural opportunities of a bustling city. The University of Tampa boasts over 300 clubs and organizations, including honor societies, student media, fraternities and sororities, community service groups and intramural sports. UT has one of the top NCAA Division II sports programs in the nation, winning 22 national championships, including recent championships in baseball (2019, 2015, 2013, 2007, 2006), women's volleyball (2021, 2018, 2014, 2006), women's beach volleyball (2018, 2019, 2023), men's lacrosse (2022), and women's soccer (2007).

The University of Tampa is a diverse, medium-sized university with 11,000 students (10,000 full-time undergraduates) from all 50 states and 130 countries.

With students traveling an average of 900 miles away from home to attend UT, the Spartan community has no shortage of activity to get involved in. UT offers nearly 300 clubs and student groups to making it easy for students to find what their looking to get involved in. From social groups, to academic organizations, Greek Life, intramural sports, club sports, and everything in between, there is a group for you at UT! For a full list, visit ut.edu/studentorgs.

The University of Tampa is "very diverse in that people from all different cultures make up the community." There is a large international student population and the majority of students are from out of state, and "many are very outgoing and will go out of their way to be there for other students." "I've met people from Sweden, Bermuda, Nigeria, and many other nations.... The diversity among the...cultures [at] UT is something," says a student. There is much promotion of diversity among students, so they are introduced to "a large variety of beliefs, backgrounds, ethnicities, and ideologies." Many who go here "are in athletics or just use the gym regularly," but they are "motivated to do well in their field of study" at the same time.

A typical day for students "is always planned around knowing it's going to be a sunny day." The university's campus "feels like summer every day," and it's within walking distance of downtown as well as "within a five-minute drive from Hyde Park, Ybor, and Soho, which all offer a wide variety of activities." The nearby theme parks are also a fun getaway. "A lot of students come [to UT] for the warm weather, the nice campus, and the city life," says one. Many students study by the river or walk around campus with others; "hammocks are super popular" (there's even a Hammock Club), and "renting bikes and biking the Riverwalk is also a fun way to pass time." Although students typically start partying on Thursday nights, some point out that "nothing is crazy" in that regard. "Many people are involved in Greek life," and others enjoy extracurricular clubs. Of course, students are always happy to head to the beach. "There is just so much to do so that every day is not exactly the same," one student says.