Florida State University
About Florida State University
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Florida State University is a public research university in Tallahassee, Florida. It offers strong programs in business, engineering, film, music, and the sciences. FSU is a major research institution and competes in the ACC for athletics.
Founded
1851
Location
Tallahassee, Florida
Students
43,381
Institution
Public
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
24.2%
Very selective
Graduation Rate
85.6%
Above national average
In-State Tuition
$5,656
Out-of-state: $18,786
Avg Net Price
$11,297
After financial aid
SAT Average
1361
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$61,675
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Highly Selective
About 4 students apply for every seat
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Required
Application Fee
$30
Early
Oct 15
Regular
Dec 1
Florida State University admits about 24.2% of applicants, with an average SAT around 1361. Strong academics are a must, and your essays and activities will make the difference.
SAT Scores
1361/ 1600
ACT Scores
28/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
85.6% complete their degree within six years
Retention
96.1%
4-Year Grad
70%
6-Year Grad
83%
Teaching Quality
17:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
84%
$/Student
$13.7K
Class Size
Medium
70% of students graduate on time, and 84% of courses are taught by full-time faculty. That personal instruction helps keep students on track.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$5,656
In-State
$18,786
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$13,474
Books & Supplies
$1,200
Total Cost of Attendance
$25,720
After Financial Aid
$11,297
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$5,938
Receive Grants
23%
Take Loans
20.4%
The full cost of attendance is about $25,720/yr for in-state students, including $13,474 for room and board. After aid, most pay around $11,297. Out-of-state tuition jumps to $18,786.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Florida State University fund their education.
While in School
23%
Get Grants
Free money
20.4%
Take Loans
Must repay
$43,729
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$18,000
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$191/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Only 20.4% of students take out federal loans, and those who do graduate with a median of $18,000. Many students here manage to minimize borrowing.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Florida State University.
Gender
56.2%
Female
44%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
32,212
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
11,169
Graduates
27.6%
First-Gen
20 yrs
Avg Age
3.2%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 56% of the student body. 27.6% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Midsize
Campus Quick Facts
32,212
Students
public
Institution
Large
Campus Size
R1 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +Tallahassee is an affordable and fun college town
- +Strong athletics and Seminole game-day culture
- +Beautiful moss-draped campus
- +Close to Gulf Coast beaches for weekend trips
Cons
- -Party reputation can overshadow academics
- -Tallahassee has limited career opportunities locally
- -Hot and humid Florida climate most of the year
- -Large campus with big class sizes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Florida State University fields 11 varsity teams with 586 student athletes, about 2% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division I-FBS
Conference
Atlantic Coast
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
11
Biggest: Track & Cross Country
Student Athletes
586
2% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
54% / 46%
319
Men
267
Women
7
Men's Teams
9
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Florida State Universityearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$61,675
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Psychology, General
$30K
879 grads
1yr Earnings
Finance and Financial Management Services
$57K
703 grads
1yr Earnings
Marketing
$50K
649 grads
1yr Earnings
Criminal Justice and Corrections
$35K
554 grads
1yr Earnings
Political Science and Government
$35K
421 grads
1yr Earnings
Computer and Information Sciences, General
$61K
376 grads
1yr Earnings
Earnings grow steadily here: $50K at six years, $48K at eight, and $62K by ten. Well above average at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Florida State University
What is the acceptance rate at Florida State University?▾
How much does Florida State University cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Florida State University?▾
How much do Florida State University graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.