Acceptance Rate
24%
Avg. SAT
1410
75th percentile
“Florida State University's sprawling Tallahassee campus pulses with Seminole spirit, where football fever meets rigorous academics in a humid Southern college town.”
Tallahassee, FL
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
You'll step into a legacy that began in 1851 as one of Florida's first seminaries, evolving into a public powerhouse after World War II when it absorbed returning veterans and claimed its Seminole nickname amid controversy over Native American imagery. FSU thrives for outgoing students who dive into big-school energy—think tailgates that rival pro games and Greek life that dominates weekends—but introverts or those craving intimate seminars might feel lost in the 37,000-strong undergrad crowd. Tallahassee, the state capital, wraps the campus in a midsize-city hum of oak-lined streets and craft breweries, yet its sticky summers and relative isolation (three hours from beaches or Orlando) demand you embrace the unhurried Southern pace. The tradeoff? Unmatched school spirit comes at the cost of personalized attention in a sea of garnet and gold.
Photo Gallery
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Available Online
Degree Levels Offered
In FSU's classrooms, you navigate massive lecture halls for intro courses in strengths like criminology (ranked No. 1 nationally), psychology, and musical theatre, where faculty push you toward research early—especially if you snag spots in the R1 university's labs studying everything from coastal resilience to quantum materials via the unique FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. With a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, smaller upper-level seminars let you debate policy with Capitol Hill insiders, but expect competition for those spots amid the scale. The intellectual vibe rewards self-starters who balance spirited discussions with hands-on projects, though the party reputation can test your focus during midterms.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
32,720 undergrad • 11,169 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
56%
Black / African American
9%
Hispanic / Latino
21%
Asian
4%
Other / Multi-racial
11%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Tallahassee, FL
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
A typical week at FSU kicks off with Monday classes amid tree-canopied quads, builds to Wednesday club meetings (over 600 options, from swing dancing to mock UN), and crescendos Friday with pregames for Seminole football—where you'll chant amid 80,000 fans as Osceola spears the field on horseback. Residential life clusters freshmen in high-rises like Tradition Hall, fostering bonds through floor crawls, but upperclassmen scatter to off-campus houses fueling the lively Greek scene (30% participation). The vibe buzzes with Southern hospitality and inclusivity events, yet the intense social scene and relentless humidity challenge those preferring quiet nights—spring brings relief with Cascades Park festivals, but hurricane season adds unpredictability.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Atlantic Coast Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
Yes
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
96%
4 Years Graduation Rate
72%
6 Years Graduation Rate
83%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$61,675
96% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Florida State University and return in the fall. 72% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 83% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
72%
4-6 years
11%
Non-grad
17%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$4,640
Acceptance
24%
Undergrads
32,720
4-Year Grad Rate
72%
Endowment
$947M
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1037
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