Campus Spotlight: Florida State University
Florida State University (FSU) is getting a lot of national attention in 2023 thanks to its winning football season and successes in other sports, including women’s soccer and softball. But the 175-year-old public research university also offers over 360 academic programs, over 750 Recognized Student Organizations, and has been steadily rising in national academic rankings.
Its compact, tree-lined campus in the Florida Panhandle is among the smallest geographically among Florida’s 12 public universities – yet has one of the largest student populations and one of the longest histories, having begun as a women’s college. Florida State is the oldest continuous site of higher education in the state, followed closely by the University of Florida.
According to U.S. News and World Reports, FSU:
- Holds the No. 1 spot for 4-Year Graduation Rate among Florida public universities
- Ranks #23 nationally on the list of Top Public Schools.
- Was named the No. 8 Best Value College in the nation among public colleges and universities.
- Has fewer than 20 students in 66% of classes.
Other notable academic distinctions for FSU include:
- Boasting a 96% retention rate for freshmen.
- Housing the internationally renowned MagLab, the largest and highest-powered magnet lab in the world.
- Being home to one of three public medical schools in Florida.
- Housing an award-winning film school program, ranked by Filmschool.org in 2023 as No. 1 in the category of “Best Affordable Film School.”
On average, the university’s admitted students have a 4.3-4.6 GPA and an ACT score of 29-33.
Alongside a rigorous and engaging education, FSU has a vibrant on-campus experience – from a strong Greek life tradition to multicultural clubs, athletics and more – ensuring that any student can find a club or organization that aligns with their interests.
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