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AlmaSpire

Tallahassee, FL · Public · 32,212 undergraduates · urban

Florida State University

Selective

FSU combines unusual first-year entry pathways with a student circus that functions as a serious, university-supported extracurricular performance organization.

Institutional profile

Top tier Exceptional in student experience, and strong in affordability.
Academic Solid Affordability Strong Career Solid Mobility Solid Experience Exceptional
Academic standing Solid
Affordability Strong
Career outcomes Solid
Mobility Solid
Student experience Exceptional
Admission
25.4% admitted

74,038 applicants in the reported year

Price by income
Resident and nonresident prices differ

Compare recent average annual costs by household income

Completion
82.6%

$61,675 median earnings 10 years after enrollment

What sets Florida State University apart

Academic design

UROP participants spend two semesters assisting faculty research, take a research-training colloquium, and present at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Campus pattern

Flying High Circus students rig equipment, make costumes, operate productions, and perform under a campus Big Top after fall auditions.

A signature opportunity

Flying High Circus.

Can I get in?

25.4% admitted

Some applicants receive Seminole Pathways and begin through Panama City, study abroad, or FSU Next before transitioning to Tallahassee.

Recent applicant pool

74,038

About 25 in every 100 applicants were admitted.

Admission rate 25.4%
Entering class

Academic range

SAT middle 50%1240–1390
11401480
ACT middle 50%27–31
2434

Of admitted students, 66% submitted an SAT, and 32% submitted an ACT. Submission rates alone do not settle the choice. Submit a score if it strengthens the application.

Entered with a 4.0 GPA87.6%

In the season card

Where your GPA sits in the entering class

The full entering-class GPA distribution for Florida State University, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.

See where I land

In the season card

What Florida State University weighs when it reads a file

See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.

  • Course rigor  
  • GPA  
  • Test scores  
  • Essay  
  • Recommendations  
  • Extracurriculars  
  • Demonstrated interest  
See what counts here

What moves the application

The evidence that separates a strong file

01

Show preparation for this curriculum

UROP participants spend two semesters assisting faculty research, take a research-training colloquium, and present at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

02

Make institutional fit specific

FSU combines unusual first-year entry pathways with a student circus that functions as a serious, university-supported extracurricular performance organization.

03

Use the application route carefully

Some applicants receive Seminole Pathways and begin through Panama City, study abroad, or FSU Next before transitioning to Tallahassee.

04

Give commitments a clear through-line

Activities and recommendations should show sustained contribution, not a collection of disconnected credentials.

How to apply

Rounds, route, and required materials

Some applicants receive Seminole Pathways and begin through Panama City, study abroad, or FSU Next before transitioning to Tallahassee.

Early DecisionOct 15
Early ActionOct 15
Regular DecisionDec 1
Fee and waiver$30 application fee

Fee waiver: accepted

Major and program admission

Some fields have their own entry path.

The college admit rate above covers the university as a whole. These requirements apply only to the named program.

Performing and visual artsAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

BusinessAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Communication and journalismAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Teacher preparationAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

EngineeringAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Health professionsAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

NursingAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Can I afford it?

Compare annual cost by household income.

Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.

Published annual cost$26,018
Average annual cost after aid, in-state$11,000
Affordability profileStrong

College funding

Scholarships and financial aid

Review available aid, application requirements, and renewal terms.

Florida State University publishes four merit awards, the largest reaching full tuition or more. two require a separate scholarship application. All of them renew past the first year.

Automatic consideration An award reaching $10,000 to $20,000 a year

Open across the university · Merit · Competitive · Renews

Automatic consideration An award reaching $10,000 to $20,000 a year

Open across the university · Merit · Competitive · Renews

Separate scholarship application An award reaching full tuition or more

Through the honors college · Merit · Competitive · Renews · Has a dated deadline

Separate scholarship application Merit scholarship

Through the honors college · Merit · Competitive · Renews · Has a dated deadline

In the season card

These four awards, by name

What each one is called, what it pays, what it asks of you, and the dates two of them close - which is usually earlier than the application for admission.

  • The name of each award 
  • What it pays 
  • The grades and scores it asks for 
  • The deadline 
  • What to send, and where 
See the full read
Open financial aid plan

In the season card

Average annual cost by household income at Florida State University

Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.

  • $0–30k 
  • $30–48k 
  • $48–75k 
  • $75–110k 
  • $110k+ 
Open the price by income

Is it worth it?

Completion, debt, and earnings

Read completion, borrowing, field mix, and earnings together. One university-wide earnings figure does not describe every student path.

Complete within 8 years82.6%

Degree completion across the reported entering cohort

Return after year one95.8%

First-year students who return for year two

Median federal debtWhat students owe on the way out

And what that comes to against what they earn.

Median earnings$61,675

Reported 10 years after enrollment

Academic portfolio

Largest bachelor’s fields

How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.

Psychology, General

Recent graduates879
Median earnings$54,728

Marketing

Recent graduates649
Median earnings$84,981

Admits separately

Criminal Justice and Corrections

Recent graduates554
Median earnings$57,417

Political Science and Government

Recent graduates421
Median earnings$68,059

What is campus life like?

Florida State University beyond the classroom

Flying High Circus students rig equipment, make costumes, operate productions, and perform under a campus Big Top after fall auditions.

Academics

A defining academic feature

UROP participants spend two semesters assisting faculty research, take a research-training colloquium, and present at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Housing

Read the residential pattern

Compare the residential setup and surrounding area with the day-to-day routine you want.

Dining

Daily life follows the campus map

Dining and nearby options matter most when they support the academic, residential, and social routine you expect.

Campus rhythm

What shapes an ordinary week

Flying High Circus students rig equipment, make costumes, operate productions, and perform under a campus Big Top after fall auditions.

Clubs & interests

Turn a direction into participation

The strongest opportunities connect a clear academic or personal direction to real work beyond class.

Social life

Find the right everyday fit

Flying High Circus students rig equipment, make costumes, operate productions, and perform under a campus Big Top after fall auditions.

32,212 undergraduatesSoutheasturban settingCampus housing available