By Kim Franke Folstad

Total Cost of Attendance

Florida State University (FSU) is a public research university known for its excellent academic programs, vibrant student life, and successful sports teams. It’s located in Florida’s capital city of Tallahassee, giving students easy access to business and government networking opportunities, cultural activities, and dining and shopping. It’s a big school: The total undergraduate enrollment at Florida State in the fall of 2023 was 32,217.

The cost of attendance at Florida State University was $25,952 for in-state students in 2023-2024, and $39,082 for out-of-state students. Here’s a breakdown of those costs.

Financial Aid

Approximately 95% of full-time beginning undergraduate students at Florida State used some type of financial aid to cover their costs in 2023-24. More specifically:

•  32% received some type of federal grant

•  79% received state or local government grants/scholarships

•  36% received institutional grants or scholarships

•  20% took out federal student loans, averaging $5,180

These funds make it possible for students from lower- and middle-income families to attend college and attain a degree.

Explore financial aid options: Florida Student Loan & Scholarship Information

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, or nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for open and upcoming grant opportunities grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

•  SoFi Scholarship Finder – Search thousands of scholarships, grants, and other aid award opportunities and filter for specific criteria, including location and field of study.

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

At Florida State University, roughly 3% of students take out private student loans, averaging $14,943, to help with their educational costs.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations, so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school. Federal student loans don’t have to be paid back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for because it generally has better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

Based on costs from the 2023-24 school year, a four-year degree at Florida State University — including tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses — would be approximately $103,808 for an in-state student and $156,328 for an out-of-state student.

The average four-year cost for a U.S. public university in 2023-24 was $115,360 (in-state) and $186,920 (out-of-state). That means Florida State can be less expensive, on average, for both in-state and out-of-state students.

This student loan and scholarship information may be valuable as you research schools and costs.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

The total cost of attendance for undergraduates at FSU in 2023-2024 was $18,396 for in-state students and $31,526 for out-of-state students. This is less than the average annual cost of attendance for public colleges in the U.S., which is $28,840 for in-state students and $46,730 for out-of-state students.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for graduate students at Florida State University averaged $11,553 (in-state) and $26,707 (out-of-state) for the 2023-24 academic year. For in-state students, this is significantly less than the average cost of graduate school tuition and fees for schools in the U.S., which is $21,730 per year. But for out-of-state graduate students, the cost is higher than average.

Cost per Credit Hour

Tuition costs for Florida State University are set annually by the Florida Legislature, with additional local and university fees set by the Florida State University Board of Trustees and the Florida Board of Governors. Tuition costs vary by campus.

•  The cost per credit hour for undergraduates at the main campus in Tallahassee in 2024-25 is $215.55 for in-state students and $721.10 for out-of-state students.

•  The cost per credit hour for graduate students at the main campus in 2024-25 is $479.32 for in-state students and $1,110.72 for out-of-state students.

Tuition costs at Florida State have risen slowly over the past decade, and didn’t increase at all from 2023-24 to 2024-25.

Campus Housing Expenses

Florida State University has 17 residence halls for undergraduate students. All are co-ed buildings with single-gender suites or apartments. The type of rooms available and number of bathrooms vary. Freshmen aren’t required to live on campus, but most choose to do so. Overall, 21% of students live in college-owned, -operated or -affiliated housing, and 79% of students live off campus.

The Office of University Housing at Florida State provides a guide to off-campus housing with current listings and average rent costs (priced per bedroom):

•  Studio: $1,070

•  1 Bedroom: $746

•  2 Bedroom: $456

•  3 Bedroom: $424

Note that the lease students sign may be for a full year rather than just the academic year.

Florida State University Acceptance Rate

Fall 2023

•  Number of applications: 74,038

•  Percentage accepted: 25%

At 25%, Florida State University’s acceptance rate is considered selective.

Admission Requirements

The holistic review process used by the FSU Office of Admissions is based on three of the school’s core values: Vires (strength), Artes (skill), and Mores (character). That means along with traditional measures of student success, other factors will be considered. No single criterion guarantees acceptance.

Admissions Requirements:

•  Secondary school GPA

•  Secondary school record

•  Completion of college-preparatory program

•  SAT or ACT scores

•  English proficiency test

Optional:

•  Secondary school rank

•  Work experience

•  Personal statement or essay

Application deadlines for Florida State University vary. The Early Action deadline (for Florida students only) is October 15, with a decision release date of December 11. The Regular Decision deadline (for all students) is December 1, with a decision release date of February 12. The Rolling Decision deadline (for all students) is March 1, with a rolling decision release in April.

SAT and ACT Scores

When evaluating for admission, FSU uses students’ highest earned ACT, SAT and Classic Learning Test (CLT) sub scores to calculate the highest total score. This is a process known as “super scoring.”

At least one test score must be submitted before the materials deadline (which is one week after the application deadline), but additional scores can be submitted later.

Here’s a look at scores from students who enrolled in Fall 2023 at the 25th and 75th percentiles.

Popular Majors at Florida State University

Florida State University offers a total of 546 academic majors, with 185 undergraduate majors. Here’s a look at some of the most popular areas of study for undergraduates.

1. Psychology

Courses and research opportunities for undergrads cover several areas of study, including clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, neuroscience/psychobiology, social psychology, and performance management/applied behavior analysis. Students are prepared for various careers and/or to continue their education in graduate or professional school.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 767

2. Finance

Finance majors at Florida State are prepared for careers in financial management and analysis, commercial and investment banking, financial institutions, financial markets, investments, portfolio analysis and management, financial planning and multinational finance. Finance also is recognized as a valuable major for students who plan to pursue graduate study in law or business.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 662

3. Marketing, Marketing Management

Marketing majors pursue a course of study that includes topics such as marketing research and strategy, understanding consumer behavior, and how organizations create and deliver outstanding value.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 574

4. Criminal Justice, Safety Studies

The Criminology and Criminal Justice major gives students the opportunity to experience several facets of the criminal justice field so they can choose the career path that is the best fit.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 481

5. Political Science and Government

The FSU political science department offers a wide variety of courses in American politics, international relations, comparative politics, and public policy. The program can prepare graduates for careers in politics or government or for graduate study in political science, law, or the other social sciences.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 388

6. Biology, Biological Sciences

An undergraduate major in biological science covers a wide variety of subjects. Specific academic concentrations within the major include cell and molecular biology; ecology, evolution, and environmental biology; marine biology; physiology and neuroscience; invertebrate and vertebrate zoology; plant sciences; and pre-professional health sciences.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 357

7. Business Administration and Management

Courses for this major cover subjects like negotiations, management, multinational management, and business and society. Students can learn the skills necessary to pursue a leadership role in any setting they choose.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 256

8. English Language and Literature

The English department at Florida State University allows students to specialize in one of three tracks: Literature, Media and Culture; Creative Writing; or Editing, Writing, and Media.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 247

9. International Relations and Affairs

The International Affairs program prepares students for careers in the public and private sectors, including positions in government, business, nongovernmental and nonprofit organizations, journalism, research, and teaching. This course of study may also lead to a more specialized doctoral program.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 242

10. Public Health

The Public Health major at Florida State University is designed to prepare students in the policy, practice, and methods of public health. The program includes training in each of the fundamental areas of public health: epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health policy and management, social and behavioral sciences, and biostatistics.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 240

Graduation Rate

Florida State University’s overall graduation rate for students who began their studies in 2017 is 83%. Here’s a breakdown of the school’s graduation rate by how long it took that cohort of students to earn a degree.

•  4 years: 73%

•  6 years: 83%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

The median annual earnings of Florida State University graduates is $62,000. This is less than the national median salary for college graduates, which is $68,680.