Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida · Public · 24.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 83/100 · Strong Value
Florida State University
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $5,656/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $18,786/yr |
| Average net price | $11,297/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $45,188 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,675 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $39,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $191 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 85.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 32,212 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,938 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,963 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,496 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,991 |
| $110,001+ | $19,239 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Florida State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $54,728 | C |
| Finance and Financial Management | $87,089 | B+ |
| Marketing | $84,981 | B |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,417 | C |
| International Relations | $68,059 | C+ |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $93,727 | B+ |
| Biology | $51,256 | D |
| English Language and Literature | $52,602 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $77,320 | B+ |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $63,984 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Florida State University is $5,656/year ($18,786/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $11,297/year, or roughly $45,188 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $5,938/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $19,239/year.
The median graduate leaves with $18,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $191 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $61,675 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.45 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 62.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 69.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 69.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 76.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 24.2% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 630-700 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 640-710 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 29-32 |
| Enrollment | 32,212 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 23.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $12,841 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State University (this school) | 83 | $11,297 | $61,675 |
| University of California-Irvine | 94 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
| The University of Texas at Austin | 90 | $19,857 | $75,121 |
| San Diego State University | 84 | $15,364 | $64,909 |
| University of Central Florida | 79 | $10,411 | $58,308 |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | 28 | $13,739 | $44,349 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Florida State University delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $11,297 per year ($45,188 over four years), graduates earn a median of $61,675 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.9 years - a solid return on the investment.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 85.6% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $18,000 is very manageable against $61,675 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.