Florida State University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Florida State University is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 36%. Along with the University of Florida, Florida State University is a flagship campus of Florida's state university system. The FSU campus lies just west of downtown Tallahassee and is a half hour drive from the Gulf of Mexico. Academically, Florida State University has wide-ranging strengths, from music and dance to the sciences, that have earned it a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. The Florida State Seminoles compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Considering applying to FSU? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/SAT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Florida State University had an acceptance rate of 36%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 36 students were admitted, making FSU's admissions process competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

FSU requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 70% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of FSU's admitted students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Florida State scored between 610 and 670, while 25% scored below 610 and 25% scored above 670. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 590 and 670, while 25% scored below 590 and 25% scored above 670. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1340 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at FSU.

Requirements

Florida State does not require the SAT writing section or SAT Subject tests. Note that FSU participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Florida State requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 30% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Florida State's admitted students fall within the top 18% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to FSU received a composite ACT score between 26 and 30, while 25% scored above 30 and 25% scored below 26.

Requirements

Florida State does not require the ACT writing section. Unlike many universities, FSU superscores ACT results; your highest subscores from multiple ACT sittings will be considered.

GPA

In 2019, the middle 50% of Florida State University's incoming class had high school GPAs between 4.0 and 4.4. 25% had a GPA above 4.4, and 25% had a GPA below 4.0. These results suggest that most successful applicants to Florida State have primarily A grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Florida State University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Florida State University, which accepts just over one third of applicants, has a selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. However, FSU has a holistic admissions process that takes into consideration the rigor of your high school courses, not simply your grades. The university requires a minimum of four units each in English and math, three units each in natural science and social science, and two units of a single world language. You'll be more competitive if you exceed these minimums and your academic record includes challenging AP, IB, and Honors courses. Also, an upward trend in your high school grades will be viewed much more favorably than a downward trend. While Florida State does not require an application essay, they strongly recommend that applicants complete the optional essay.

Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores are outside FSU's average range. Applicants who plan to major in dance, film, music, or theatre should visit the university's admissions website to learn about audition and portfolio requirements and deadlines for their intended major.

In the scattergram above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. You can see that the great majority of successful applicants had "B" or higher averages, SAT scores (ERW+M) of about 1050 or higher, and ACT composite scores of 20 or higher. About 75% of admitted students had a combined SAT score of 1100 or higher and/or an ACT composite score of 25 or better. Higher numbers clearly improve your chances of getting an acceptance letter, and few students with "A" averages and well above average SAT scores were rejected. 

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Florida State University's Undergraduate Admissions Office.