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.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $25,720 |
| Tuition and Fees | $18,786 |
| Room and Board | $13,474 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$14,423 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $11,297 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $5,938 |
| $30–48k | $6,963 |
| $48–75k | $10,496 |
| $75–110k | $14,991 |
| $110k+ | $19,239 |
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.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
Florida State graduates complete their education with median debt of $18,000, below the peer median of $20,000 and resulting in favorable debt positioning relative to similar institutions. Debt levels span from $8,400 at the 25th percentile to $27,750 at the 75th percentile, indicating controlled borrowing patterns across the student body.
The university's debt percentile ranking of 79% reflects strong performance in minimizing student borrowing nationally. With median earnings of $61,675, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29, indicating manageable repayment burden relative to post-graduation income.
Parent PLUS borrowing averages $16,295 with monthly payments of $214.59, representing additional family investment in education financing. The combination of below-peer student debt levels and strong earnings outcomes creates favorable conditions for post-graduation financial stability, with debt service representing a reasonable proportion of typical graduate income levels.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Florida State delivers competitive educational value through controlled costs and solid earnings outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $61,675, ranking in the 75th percentile nationally and exceeding peer median earnings by $1,132 annually.
However, these earnings fall $10,920 below expectations based on student demographics and institutional characteristics, placing FSU at the 13th percentile for value-added performance. Despite this gap, the university maintains strong value proposition through below-peer debt levels ($18,000 vs $20,000) and below-peer net pricing ($10,997 vs $15,590).
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 indicates sustainable repayment burden for typical graduates. FSU's return index percentile of 47% reflects around the national average performance when considering the full relationship between costs, debt, and earnings outcomes.
Florida State's financial aid strategy emphasizes accessibility for students from diverse economic backgrounds while maintaining selectivity in admission. The university enrolls 23.8% Pell-eligible students, indicating substantial representation of families with annual incomes typically below $50,000.
The $12,686 average financial aid savings represents 53.5% of the total cost of attendance, demonstrating meaningful institutional investment in affordability. Net prices below peer medians across income levels suggest FSU prioritizes competitive pricing within its market position as a selective public university.
The progressive pricing structure, with net prices rising from $5,777 for lowest-income families to $17,910 for highest-income families, aligns financial contributions with family capacity to pay while ensuring access remains viable for first-generation and Pell-eligible students who comprise significant portions of the student body.
