Introduction
With a history dating back to 1851, Florida State University (FSU) is a nationally ranked public research university located in Tallahassee, Florida. As the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida, FSU has grown into a powerhouse of academics, research, athletics and campus life. The university fosters excellence across diverse fields through its 16 colleges and 300-plus degree programs.
History of Florida State University
Florida State University originated as the Seminary West of the Suwanee River established by an act of the Florida legislature in 1851. Located on the site of a Civil War-era fort, the all-male seminary aimed to educate Florida students who were previously forced to travel out of state for higher education opportunities.
The institution expanded after the Civil War under Principal William G. Patten to become the West Florida Seminary. Female students were first admitted in 1879 as academic programs increased. By 1901, the state legislature designated West Florida Seminary as the Florida State College with broader land grant university status.
Major growth and transformation came under president Edward Conradi between 1909-1941. Enrollment increased five-fold as FSU added new colleges, departments and degree programs to develop into a modern university. In 1947, the school took on its present name Florida State University reflecting its expanded roles and stature within Florida’s higher education system.
In the second half of the 20th century, FSU increased research activity and funding in fields like physics, chemistry, psychology and the arts. Student participation also became more diverse with the 1956 integration of African American undergraduates. Since its 1851 founding, FSU has grown to become Florida’s premier graduate research institution committed to shaping future leaders.
Academics at Florida State
Florida State University comprises 16 colleges encompassing diverse academic disciplines and serving over 44,000 students. Undergraduate students make up around 32,000 enrollment choosing from over 120 majors across 78 bachelor’s degrees. At the graduate level, FSU enrolls over 8,500 students in 178 master’s, specialist, doctoral and professional programs.
Notable FSU colleges include Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Law, Motion Picture Arts, Medicine, Nursing, Social Sciences & Public Policy and more. The university is especially well-regarded for programs in physics, chemistry, psychology, criminology, public administration, motion picture arts, creative writing and music performance among others.
U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 graduate school rankings placed FSU at 18th for Library and Information Studies, 25th for Criminology, 38th for Education, 39th for Nursing, 40th for Fine Arts and 46th for Public Affairs. This reflects FSU’s strength across diverse disciplines.
As Florida’s designated showcase university for the sciences and creativity, FSU makes significant contributions to research and innovation in areas like high energy physics, coastal science, materials science, psychology, conservation medicine and the arts. It is classified among the top research universities in the U.S. for total annual research expenditures exceeding $200 million.
The FSU faculty includes more than 1,600 distinguished scholars and researchers across academic fields. Prominent faculty honors include Nobel laureate in chemistry Sir Harold Kroto and Pulitzer Prize winners in fiction and music composition. FSU’s Magnet Lab directed by physicist Greg Boebinger represents the strongest magnet laboratory worldwide attracting..
