Florida State University
Florida State University is a public research university in Tallahassee, the state capital, known for its strong programs in business, the social sciences, and the creative arts, plus a storied Seminoles athletics tradition. Admission has grown competitive: FSU admitted about 24% of more than 85,000 applicants for its most recent class, and enrolled first-years carry a weighted average high school GPA near 4.29 with middle-50% SAT scores of 1300–1410. Unlike many flagships, FSU still requires an SAT or ACT score under Florida Board of Governors policy. Business is the single largest field of study at roughly a quarter of bachelor's degrees, and low in-state tuition near $6,500 makes it one of the more affordable major public universities.
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Florida State admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Action
Florida State offers non-binding Early Action — an earlier decision with no commitment to enroll.
Standardized Tests
Florida State requires standardized test scores for all applicants.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Florida State's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 53.2% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Florida State does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Florida State weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Florida State's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $15,166 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Florida State admissions
Is it hard to get into Florida State?＋
Yes — FSU has become competitive, admitting about 23.8% of applicants in the most recent cycle from a pool of roughly 85,500, with around 6,560 first-years enrolling. There is no single guarantee: the rigor of your high school course load is the only factor FSU rates as 'very important,' with GPA, test scores, class rank, and the essay all weighed as important.
What is Florida State's acceptance rate for out-of-state students?＋
FSU doesn't publish a separate non-resident admit rate, but out-of-state odds run below the 23.8% overall rate. Only about 14% of enrolled first-years come from outside Florida, and state residency and geographical residence are both listed as important factors in FSU's admissions review, so non-residents face a tighter bar than the headline number suggests.
What GPA do you need to get into Florida State?＋
Enrolled first-years at FSU carry a weighted average high school GPA of about 4.29. There's no hard cutoff, but the single most important academic factor is the rigor of your course load, so strong grades in AP, IB, AICE, or honors classes matter more than the number alone.
Does Florida State require the SAT or ACT?＋
Yes — FSU is not test-optional. Under Florida Board of Governors regulation, first-year applicants must submit an SAT, ACT, or CLT score. The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 1300–1410 on the SAT and 29–32 on the ACT.
Is a 1350 SAT good enough for Florida State?＋
A 1350 is solidly competitive — it sits right around the median for enrolled first-years, whose middle 50% scored 1300–1410 on the SAT (50th percentile 1360). It lands comfortably in the largest score band of admitted students, though because FSU still requires scores and weighs course rigor most heavily, the rest of your application carries real weight too.
Does Florida State have Early Decision or Early Action?＋
FSU offers nonbinding Early Action and does not offer a binding Early Decision plan. Early Action lets you apply early without committing to enroll, so you can compare offers; the standard admission factors apply either way, with course rigor weighed most heavily.
How much does Florida State cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Annual tuition and required fees run about $6,517 for Florida residents and $21,683 for out-of-state students. About 38% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, with an average package near $17,669, and FSU meets roughly 75% of demonstrated need on average.
What are the most popular majors at Florida State?＋
Business is the single largest field at about 25% of bachelor's degrees, followed by health and life sciences (about 18%) and the social sciences (about 13%). Psychology, engineering and computing, and the arts and communication round out the most-pursued programs.
Source: Florida State University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-07. In-State Cost and Out-of-State Cost are from the 2024-2025 edition. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Florida State. Banner photo by Ernie Stephens, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0).