Florida State combines selective admission standards with exceptional economic mobility outcomes. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university delivers median earnings of $61,675 with debt levels below peer institutions, while ranking in the top 3% nationally for mobility performance.
Around the national average, reflecting typical outcomes relative to educational investment
With strong well above average performance, driven by controlled net prices and manageable debt levels
With excellent top-tier performance, indicating above-average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With exceptional performance among the highest we track, reflecting the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisFlorida State University delivers strong value through the combination of selective admission standards and manageable educational costs. Graduates earn a median of $61,675 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 75th percentile nationally with earnings spanning from $40,653 at the 25th percentile to $90,690 at the 75th percentile.
This 2.2:1 earnings ratio reflects varied career trajectories across academic programs. Median student debt remains well-controlled at $18,000, below the peer median of $20,000, resulting in a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29.
Students seeking strong post-graduation outcomes at a selective public university with exceptional economic mobility. Well-suited for students prioritizing value, with median debt below peer institutions and earnings that position graduates for financial stability.
Florida State's Selective Achievers profile reflects strong outcomes alongside selective admission standards.
Florida State University admits approximately 25.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 4 applicants receives an offer of admission. This selectivity level places FSU in the "Selective" tier, significantly more competitive than the peer median admission rate of 78.1%.
The 52.7 percentage point difference between FSU's admission rate and its peers highlights the university's competitive position within public higher education. With nearly 40,000 applications annually, Florida State attracts a large applicant pool competing for limited spaces.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Florida State University's published cost of attendance reaches $23,683 annually, including $18,786 in out-of-state tuition ($5,656 for Florida residents), $12,740 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid.
The average net price across all income levels is $10,997, representing financial aid savings of $12,686 compared to the sticker price. This net price falls $4,593 below the peer median of $15,590, indicating Florida State provides stronger financial aid support than typical selective public institutions.
The university's affordability index ranks at the 86.8th percentile nationally, reflecting strong well above average performance in keeping costs manageable for students and families. Net prices vary substantially by family income, ranging from $5,777 for families earning under $30,000 to $17,910 for families earning over $110,000.
This progressive pricing structure concentrates financial aid toward students with the greatest need while maintaining accessibility across middle-income ranges.
Computer Engineering, General.
41 graduates
Actuarial Science.
48 graduates
Industrial Engineering.
39 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
49 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
62 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Salisbury University Higher acceptance rate (63.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MD | 89% | $61,515 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Florida State University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/florida-state-university/analysis.
Exceptional mobility with selective admissions
Florida State University ranks #65 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with mobility performance at the 97.0th percentile—exceptional performance among the highest we track. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public research university maintains selective admission standards with a 25.4% acceptance rate while delivering strong long-term economic outcomes.
FSU enrolls 23.8% Pell-eligible students and 27.6% first-generation students, positioning it as a Selective Achievers institution that combines selective admissions with strong post-graduation results. The university demonstrates balanced excellence across institutional pillars, with particularly strong mobility and access performance.
Graduates earn a median of $61,675 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 75th percentile nationally and exceeding peer median earnings by $1,132. With 20 bachelor's degree programs offering sufficient earnings data for analysis, Florida State provides diverse academic pathways with documented career outcomes across multiple fields of study.
This level of selectivity means that many qualified students—those who would succeed academically at FSU—face uncertainty in the admission process. Students should approach Florida State as a competitive target school requiring strong academic credentials and should build comprehensive college lists including institutions with higher acceptance rates.
The selectivity also reflects FSU's position as a flagship-level public university within Florida's state system, competing with other selective public institutions nationwide for high-achieving students.
Florida State graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over their career trajectory. Median earnings increase from $49,814 six years after enrollment to $55,983 at eight years and $61,675 at ten years, representing 23.8% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 9,121 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures. Earnings span from $40,653 at the 25th percentile to $90,690 at the 75th percentile, with low-income graduates earning $54,700—performance that ranks at the top 25% nationally for students from lower-income backgrounds.
The university's mobility index percentile of 97.0% demonstrates exceptional effectiveness in supporting economic advancement. Approximately 21.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
FSU's earnings performance, while $10,920 below demographic expectations, still delivers outcomes well above average when considered alongside the university's debt and cost profile.
Florida State offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data available for ranking analysis. Apparel and Textile Manufacture ranks #1 nationally with 165 graduates earning $54,324 and achieving a perfect 100.0 value score.
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia ranks #6 nationally and #1 in Florida, graduating 229 students with median earnings of $51,262 and a 92.1 value score. Brewery/Brewpub Operations Management ranks #9 nationally and #1 in Florida, with 231 graduates earning $49,458.
Psychology, the university's largest program by enrollment, graduates 825 students annually with median earnings of $44,481 and ranks #2 in Florida. Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #29 nationally and #3 in Florida, producing 550 graduates with median earnings of $75,328.
These programs demonstrate Florida State's strength across diverse fields from technical specializations to traditional liberal arts disciplines, providing students with multiple pathways to strong career outcomes.
University Of Mary Washington Higher acceptance rate (60.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | VA | 86% | $60,613 | Compare |
Valdosta State University Same region (66 miles away) (earnings difference: 20%) and similar program focus; same institution type | GA | 83% | $49,361 | Compare |
Thomas University Same region (32 miles away) (earnings difference: 19.4%) | GA | 43% | $49,716 | Compare |
Florida International University Same state with nearly identical earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | FL | 59% | $60,249 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Maryland-College Park Similar quality tier in Southeast (#64 ranked) | MD | 45% | $82,860 | #64 | Compare |
Florida Atlantic University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#63 ranked) | FL | 73% | $56,746 | #63 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Dallas Similar quality tier (#68 ranked) | TX | 65% | $68,227 | #68 | Compare |
University Of Washington-Seattle Campus Similar quality tier (#61 ranked) | WA | 43% | $78,466 | #61 | Compare |
Texas Tech University Similar quality tier (#71 ranked) | TX | 71% | $62,454 | #71 | Compare |
