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Overall Score: 73.2

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL http://www.fsu.edu/
Florida State is a large public university in the state capital of Tallahassee, a city near the state’s northern border that's also home to Florida A&M University. Florida State has just over 32,000 undergraduates, and as might be expected, about 85% of them are from the Sunshine State. Designated a preeminent research university by the state legislature, FSU is also known for its criminal justice programs, as well as its film school. Plus, it’s home to one of only two collegiate circuses in the U.S. The university scores high marks for affordability: At about $90,000, the estimated price of an FSU degree is 37% less than the average price among Money's ranked colleges, and that's before factoring in statewide scholarships. FSU isn't just about academics – Tallahassee is notorious for its party scene. The culture is dominated by Greek life and sports, and the Seminoles love to hate on their rivals, the University of Florida Gators. They delight in watching the school mascot, Osceola, and his horse Renegade take the field before football games. Next time you're on campus, check out the Westcott Fountain, where tradition dictates students get dunked on their 21st birthdays, or stop by Strozier Library, which is home to the country's first double-sided Starbucks (with a service counter both inside and outside the library).

Costs

Est. full price 2022-2023
$23,800
% of students who get any grants
85%
Est. price for students who receive aid
$13,500
Average price for low-income students
$4,950

Admissions

Acceptance rate
36%
Median SAT/ACT score
1270/28
SAT/ACT required?
Yes
Undergraduate enrollment
32,880

Financial Aid

% of students with need who get grants
91%
% of need met
63%
% of students who get merit grants
8%
Average merit grant
$3,200

Student Success

Graduation rate
82%
Average time to a degree
4.2 years
Median student debt
$18,750
Early career earnings
$53,450
% earning more than a high school grad
74%

Notes: Students who get merit grants are full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and were awarded grants. Graduation rate measures degree completion within six years for both transfer students and first-time students. Early career earnings are the median earnings for both graduates and non-completers, 10 years after they first enrolled.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Peterson’s, Money/Witlytic calculations.

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