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Florida State University

Florida State

Tallahassee, Florida 32306-1037

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusUrban

Known for business — major research university

Florida State University is a public institution in Tallahassee with particular strength in business and psychology. With an average SAT of 1323, the school attracts a competitive applicant pool.

A large campus of 31.8K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

83% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $61,675 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $10,997.

Established
1851
Motto
Vires, Artes, Mores
Mascot
Osceola and RenegadeCimarron
Type
Public research university
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

25%Acceptance
1323SAT Avg
31,812Students
17:1Student:Faculty
83%Grad Rate
$61,675Earnings 10yr
$10,997Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate25.4%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1323

Reading & WritingMid: 640
630700
MathMid: 620
610690

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 28
2731

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$5,656
Tuition (out-of-state)$18,786
Room & Board$12,740
Books & Supplies$1,000
Total Cost of Attendance$23,683
Average Net Price$10,997
Median Debt at Graduation$18,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$191

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$5,777
$30–48K$7,427
$48–75K$11,131
$75–110K$16,057
$110K+$17,910

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

78.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$16,100

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

242

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

62

Burglary

12

Aggravated Assault

8

Robbery

21

Motor Vehicle Theft

25

Sex Offenses

2

Arson

64

Drug Arrests

48

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (268)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

96%

Very Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
31,812
Gender Split
57% / 43%
Women / Men
First Generation
28%
Pell Grant Recipients
24%

Race & Ethnicity

White 58%
Black 7%
Hispanic 23%
Asian 4%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate83.0%
Freshman Retention95.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$49,814
10 Years$61,675

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#54
vs 2024
Forbes
#67
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#73
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Seminoles

BaseballOutdoor trackSoccerSoftballTrack field

History & Fun Facts

  • Built in 1925, Dodd Hall was the location of the Florida State Library until 1956.
  • " Florida State University is traceable to a plan set by the 1823 U.
  • The 1838 Florida Constitution codified the primary system by providing for land allocated for the schools.
  • In 1845 Congress passed the law admitting Florida as the 27th state.
  • In 1851, the Florida Legislature authorized the seminaries to be awarded to the two towns offering the best school support.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

108Above Average

Estimated from FL state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Tampapop. 390K
205 mi(355 min)
Orlandopop. 310K
219 mi(380 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
228 mi(395 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

JAX Jacksonville155 mi
TPA Tampa201 mi
ATL Atlanta221 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1102 mi · ~31h 50m drive
New York, NY914 mi · ~26h 24m drive
Hartford, CT1014 mi · ~29h 18m drive
Providence, RI1063 mi · ~30h 43m drive
Albany, NY1025 mi · ~29h 37m drive
Syracuse, NY980 mi · ~28h 19m drive
Rochester, NY952 mi · ~27h 30m drive
Buffalo, NY910 mi · ~26h 17m drive
Philadelphia, PA834 mi · ~24h 6m drive
Pittsburgh, PA732 mi · ~21h 9m drive
Harrisburg, PA797 mi · ~23h 1m drive
Newark, NJ909 mi · ~26h 16m drive
Washington, DC715 mi · ~20h 39m drive
Baltimore, MD750 mi · ~21h 40m drive
Atlanta, GA228 mi · ~6h 35m drive
Charlotte, NC386 mi · ~11h 9m drive
Raleigh, NC493 mi · ~14h 15m drive
Miami, FL409 mi · ~11h 49m drive
Orlando, FL219 mi · ~6h 20m drive
Tampa, FL205 mi · ~5h 55m drive
Nashville, TN420 mi · ~12h 8m drive
New Orleans, LA347 mi · ~10h 1m drive
Richmond, VA628 mi · ~18h 9m drive
Chicago, IL812 mi · ~23h 27m drive
Detroit, MI824 mi · ~23h 48m drive
Minneapolis, MN1116 mi · ~32h 14m drive
St. Louis, MO657 mi · ~18h 59m drive
Kansas City, MO835 mi · ~24h 7m drive
Indianapolis, IN653 mi · ~18h 52m drive
Columbus, OH662 mi · ~19h 7m drive
Cleveland, OH778 mi · ~22h 29m drive
Milwaukee, WI893 mi · ~25h 48m drive
Dallas, TX753 mi · ~21h 45m drive
Houston, TX663 mi · ~19h 9m drive
Austin, TX801 mi · ~23h 8m drive
San Antonio, TX853 mi · ~24h 39m drive
Los Angeles, CA1990 mi · ~57h 29m drive
San Francisco, CA2223 mi · ~64h 13m drive
San Diego, CA1933 mi · ~55h 51m drive
Seattle, WA2328 mi · ~67h 15m drive
Portland, OR2306 mi · ~66h 37m drive
Denver, CO1330 mi · ~38h 25m drive
Phoenix, AZ1637 mi · ~47h 17m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1697 mi · ~49h 1m drive
Honolulu, HI4540 mi · ~131h 9m drive
Deep South / Subtropical (warm winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

Florida State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications