Florida State University

Florida State University is a public university founded in 1851. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 32,217 (Fall 2023), and its campus is located in the city on 486 acres of land. The university operates on a semester-based academic calendar. Florida State University is ranked 54th among national universities in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges. Its in-state tuition and fees are $6,517 and its out-of-state tuition and fees are $21,683.

Located in Tallahassee, Florida State University is a large public school with more than 600 student organizations and 18 NCAA Division I athletic teams (i.e., the Seminoles). Florida State does not require freshmen to live on campus, but due to the limited number of residence halls, students wishing to live on campus should apply as early as possible to ensure a room is available. Florida State has centers in Florence, Italy; London; Panama City, Panama; and Valencia, Spain, and offers other study abroad programs for students. The university also has a variety of graduate schools, including the College of Business, the College of Law, and the College of Medicine, as well as the College of Engineering, which is a joint venture with Florida A&M University. Notable Florida State alumni include fitness expert Richard Simmons and Sara Blakely, founder of the Spanx clothing line.