Florida State University College Portrait
Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL 32306
850-644-2525
Florida State University
Founded in 1851, Florida State University is a comprehensive, national, graduate-research university offering more than 300 outstanding academic and professional degrees in top flight programs ranging from Business and Physics to Music and Creative Writing.
Florida State University provides extraordinary opportunities for undergraduate students to build a strong foundation in their chosen fields; study abroad at the university’s overseas campuses; engage in scores of service activities, benefit from world class library and technical facilities; participate in extensive intramural and recreational events; and interact with some of the finest students and faculty in the nation in a distinctive, welcoming environment. The university instills the strength, skill, and character essential for lifelong learning, personal responsibility, and achievement.
Living in the Seminoles Community
As a major research university, Florida State University is home to numerous programs of research and scholarship that are considered among the best in the world in their fields.
Many members of the faculty are considered the preeminent experts in their areas. Among these leading faculty members are two Pulitzer Prize winners and a Nobel Laureate. FSU’s faculty has an overriding interest in helping the university’s students—and especially its undergraduates—learn and achieve in the institution’s classrooms, research laboratories, theaters and studios. FSU equips most classrooms and teaching laboratories with advanced technology so that members of the faculty take advantage of the newest Internet-based educational tools to keep students in touch with their learning even when they are outside the classroom. Undergraduates have many chances to partner with faculty and research groups to engage in research and creative activity at the intellectual cutting edge. From the university's research laboratories to its performance halls and galleries, FSU is a great place to learn and achieve.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2010?
More Information
| Total Students | 40,416 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 31,418 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 17,223 | 55% |
| Men | 14,195 | 45% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 301 | 1% |
| Asian | 1,087 | 3% |
| African American / Black | 3,304 | 11% |
| Hispanic | 4,294 | 14% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 | <1% |
| White | 21,679 | 69% |
| Two or More Races | 0 | <1% |
| International | 307 | 1% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 446 | 1% |
| Where do FSU undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Florida | 90% |
| Other US States & Territories | 6% |
| Other Countries | 4% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are FSU undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 21 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 7% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2010)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | 24 - 28 | |
| Math | 24 - 28 | 560 - 650 |
| English | 24 - 29 | |
| Critical Reading | 550 - 640 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 76% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 97% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 78% | |
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 3.76 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 100% | |
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2010-11 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $18,756
Out-of-State & Other Costs
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The cost to attend Florida State University varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 23% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $4,332. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 27% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $3,761. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2009-2010 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
FSU Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 22 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 63% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 84% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 1,248 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 37% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 17% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 92% |
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Campus-based Housing
68% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
20% of all undergraduates live on campus
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Campus Safety
The Florida State University Police Department (FSUPD) is committed to providing Florida State University with a safe environment conducive to the goals of education and research. Although reported crime at Florida State is relatively low, it is important for students to remember that we are not immune from criminal activity. Therefore, we share many of the crime and safety issues that exist in any city. In partnership with the community, we work to prevent crime and solve problems that affect students, faculty, and staff. The safety and security of the University is the combined responsibility of the entire Florida State University community.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Research Universities (very high research activity)
- Size and Setting
- Large four-year, primarily nonresidential
- Enrollment Profile
- High undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, more selective, higher transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Balanced arts & sciences/professions, high graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Comprehensive doctoral with medical/veterinary
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
Student Activities and Involvement at FSU
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 91% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 57% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 36% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 82% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 21% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 50% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 64% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 14% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 90% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 96% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 75% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 71% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 92% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 60% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 80% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 95% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 71% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 71% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 89% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 67% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 89% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 91% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 85% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at Florida State University in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 7,927 |
| Master's | 2,245 |
| Doctoral | 683 |
| Total | 10,855 |
More Information
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES | 6% |
| Political Science and Government | 5% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 5% |
| Psychology, General | 4% |
| Links to degree programs at Florida State University |
|---|
Bachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 95% four-year success and progress rate means that 95% of students starting in Fall 2004 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
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Counts for the Fall 2004 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 6,198 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 1,111 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2009 that returned for their second year: 92%
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Student Learning at Florida State University
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
The State Board of Governors has directed each university to develop Academic Learning Compacts for each baccalaureate degree program. A State University System Academic Learning Compact (SMALC) is comprised of the identification, for each academic Bachelor's program, of what it is that students will have learned by the end of the program, and how that learning will be measured above and beyond course grades. A Compact must include the core learning expectations in the areas of Communication, Critical Thinking Skills and Content/Discipline knowledge and skills. It also must identify the corresponding assessments used to determine how well student learning matches those articulated expectations.
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
2007-11 Results from the Collegiate Learning Assessment
The Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) measures critical thinking, analytic reasoning, problem solving, and written communication using a performance task and an analytic writing task. The scores from the tasks are reported separately below.
Test Administration Process
Test Information
Performance Task Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the performance task is well above what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 1108
Senior Score: 1250
CLA score range: 400 to no maximum score.
Average EEA scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 1184
Senior Score: 1188
Analytic Writing Task Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the analytic writing task is well above what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 1053
Senior Score: 1216
CLA score range: 400 to no maximum score.
Average EEA scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 1184
Senior Score: 1188