Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida · Public · 24.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 83/100 · Strong Value
Florida State University scores 83 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale -- a result driven by a strong earnings premium (sub-score 93), 85.6% completion rate, and in-state tuition of just $5,656. Net price is $11,297 and median 6-year earnings are $39,700 with a 6.9-year payback period. Median debt is $18,000. FSU produces a wide range of program outcomes: Computer Engineering (26 graduates, $78,941 year-one, B+ grade), Electrical Engineering (32 graduates, $72,425 year-one, ROI grade A), and Finance (703 graduates, $56,516 year-one, B+ grade) are among the strongest. Finance is notable for its sheer volume -- 703 graduates is one of the largest Finance cohorts of any school in this review. Marketing (649 graduates) earns a B grade. Criminal Justice (554 graduates) is the second-largest cohort and earns a C grade ($34,922 year-one, $57,417 year-four). At the lower end, Music (109 graduates, F grade), Drama/Theatre (75 graduates, F grade), and Communication Disorders (88 graduates, F grade) reflect the wide earnings dispersion at a broad research university. FSU's 24.2% admission rate places it firmly in the selective public tier.
Florida State University scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
Florida State University
Quick 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).
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.
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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $5,938 per year at FSU -- $23,752 over four years. This is among the most affordable four-year flagship experiences available to low-income students in the South. At $39,700 median 6-year earnings and a 6.9-year payback, the value proposition for low-income students is genuinely strong, particularly for those in business, CS, or engineering tracks.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $10,496 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $14,991. Even at the upper-middle-income tier, FSU costs under $15,000 per year -- a remarkable figure for a selective flagship. Middle-income families get exceptional cost-to-outcome value here, particularly in the strong business and STEM programs.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $19,239 per year -- well under $80,000 over four years. For a selective public flagship producing $39,700 median 6-year earnings (biased downward by major mix), the financial case for full-pay families is very strong. Even for arts and humanities graduates, the low net cost means the payback math is more forgiving than at private universities.
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.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance is FSU's largest single program at 703 graduates -- a significant cohort producing $56,516 year-one and $87,089 year-four earnings (ROI grade B+, debt-to-earnings 0.321). Median debt of $18,162 is low. FSU's finance program feeds into Florida's insurance, banking, and investment sectors as well as national financial services firms. The volume and solid outcomes make this the school's flagship business program.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences (376 graduates) earns $61,376 year-one and $93,727 year-four (ROI grade B+, debt-to-earnings 0.330, median debt $20,250). Volume and outcomes both strong. FSU CS graduates enter Florida's growing tech sector and remote-eligible national tech roles. The B+ rather than A grade reflects the debt-to-earnings ratio being slightly above the A threshold.
Accounting
Accounting (137 graduates) earns $55,626 year-one and $91,056 year-four with a B+ grade and debt-to-earnings of 0.335 against $18,625 median debt. The 4-year trajectory to $91k is strong and reflects CPA licensing progression. FSU's accounting program has a strong regional reputation in Florida business circles.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice (554 graduates) is FSU's second-largest program and earns a C grade: $34,922 year-one, $57,417 year-four, debt-to-earnings 0.606 with $21,170 median debt. The C grade and large volume are notable -- hundreds of FSU graduates are entering a field with modest starting salaries. Students choosing this track should have a specific career pathway in mind (law school, federal law enforcement, state government) that uses the FSU name as a launching pad.
Marketing
Marketing (649 graduates) earns $49,808 year-one and $84,981 year-four with a B grade and debt-to-earnings of 0.366 against $18,250 median debt. The 4-year growth from $50k to $85k is strong -- FSU marketing graduates are progressing well, likely reflecting placement into major brands, agencies, and tech companies. Volume and outcomes make this a reliable program choice.
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 |
At 24.2%, FSU is genuinely selective for a Florida public university. SAT 630-700 Math and 640-710 Reading, ACT 29-32 describe a competitive admitted class. Holistic review means test scores alone do not determine admission -- extracurriculars, essays, and coursework rigor matter. In-state students have an advantage in cost but not necessarily in admission odds. Students who do not gain FSU admission should evaluate UCF and UF as alternatives.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
FSU's peers include University of Central Florida, Florida A&M, San Diego State, UT Austin, and UC Irvine. Among Florida flagship peers, FSU and UF are the primary comparable institutions -- both selective, both strong in value. FSU's 83 ROI score is slightly below UF's (which scores higher on earnings premium) but the institutions are closely comparable. Out-of-state students should note the $18,786 out-of-state tuition erodes the cost advantage significantly. Compared to UT Austin, FSU has a lower earnings premium but also lower cost.
| 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 |
Who Thrives Here
FSU admits 24.2% of applicants. SAT mid-ranges are 630-700 Math and 640-710 Reading; ACT composite 29-32. Enrollment is 32,212 -- a large flagship research university in Tallahassee. Pell grant rate of 23% reflects a mix of access-focused and traditional students. The campus is known for its strong Greek life, athletics culture, and Tallahassee social environment. Business, law, and policy students benefit from proximity to the state capital. FSU's breadth means high school students should evaluate it program by program rather than as an undifferentiated institution.
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.
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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.