Florida State University experienced another outstanding year in 2024, making unprecedented progress in several key areas. The university set records for four-year and six-year graduation rates, recorded research expenditures of nearly $455 million and posted its second-best fundraising year in FSU’s history.
FSU also began construction on the FSU Health academic health center, received one of the nation’s largest gifts to an education-related college, secured its largest state appropriation from the Florida Legislature in university history, and continued to elevate its national reputation in disciplines across the board.
NATIONAL RANKINGS
FSU reached a historic milestone this year, earning its highest ranking ever at No. 10 in Niche’s report of Top Public Universities in America. The university also claimed the No. 1 spot for student satisfaction among public universities from The Princeton Review and continued its run as a Top 25 public institution in the U.S. News & World Report rankings.
Programs and disciplines across all areas of the university continued to earn national recognition, with several making significant jumps in the latest rankings. Graduate programs in education, law, nursing and engineering shined in the rankings, led by Education’s rise to No. 14 among all public and private universities. Graduate programs in speech-language pathology, social work and public affairs were ranked the best in Florida.
The Dedman College of Hospitality, College of Motion Picture Arts, and Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship also continued to boast some of the best programs in the nation.
The university moved up two spots to No. 3 in the 2025 College Free Speech Rankings, compiled by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and College Pulse. FSU is the highest-rated Florida university on the list.
STUDENT SUCCESS
FSU sets new highs in graduation and retention rates
FSU’s four-year graduation rate reached a new high of 76%, up from 75% last year, while the university’s retention rate maintained a stellar 96%, matching last year’s record. The six-year graduation rate also climbed to 86%, up from last year’s record of 85%.
FSU welcomed an outstanding crop of new students
The Class of 2028 joined the Florida State family as the university continues to build upon an excellent record of student success. FSU received about 79,400 applications for about 6,000 spots in its first-year class.
FSU aims to be No. 1 research university with lowest student debt
Florida State University has set its sights on becoming the best public research university in the country for graduating students with little or no debt. More than 86% of full-time undergraduates received non-loan financial aid last year, and only 32% of FSU students graduate with debt, averaging $14,500 — well below the national average of $29,400.
FSU hosts inaugural Horizons Unlimited Conference in continued commitment to first-generation student success
FSU held its inaugural conference dedicated to first-generation student success, the Horizons Unlimited Conference, in February. About a quarter of FSU’s undergraduate population identifies as the first in their families to go to college, with the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) offering resources and support to many of those students.
Florida State University develops bold plan for advancing doctoral education
The new Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) submitted as part of the university’s reaffirmation of accreditation invests $10 million over five years to enhance doctoral education in alignment with FSU’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan and establishes a new Graduate Student Resource Center as a “one-stop shop” for graduate student support services
FSU HEALTH
FSU and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare break ground on academic health center
In September, FSU and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare celebrated the groundbreaking of a new academic health center. The 140,000-square foot building includes clinical research space, a family residency practice, laboratory facilities and other resources designed to bridge the gap between academic research and patient care. It will house about 30 researchers and is expected to attract $40 million in grant funding annually. The facility is part of FSU Health, a transformational initiative to improve health care in North Florida.
FSU’s College of Nursing launches nation’s first AI in health care master’s nursing program
The FSU College of Nursing launched the nation’s first master’s degree combining artificial intelligence and health care with a curriculum that will expand digital health initiatives into clinical benefits for patients through more advanced, efficient and personalized care.
RESEARCH
Records in research: Faculty reach new heights in research funding
With new programs, continued excellence in scholarship, and record research funding, 2024 was an excellent year for FSU research. The university recorded nearly $455 million in research expenditures and faculty submitted more than $1 billion in research proposals — a record-breaking achievement that doesn’t include the $300 million NSF grant renewal for the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. Funding organizations see FSU as a wise investment, as faculty continue to excel in major research projects such as these:
- $2 million in funding from the Department of Energy for FAMU-FSU College of Engineering research to detect and mitigate the effects of cyberattacks in the electric grid.
- A $3.6 million project supported by the National Institutes of Health to develop effective interventions that support early phonological awareness in young children to help prevent reading difficulties.
- A $9 million grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate nuclear reactions within stars and unstable nuclei. This research by physicists at the John D. Fox Superconducting Accelerator Laboratory could improve technologies such as medical imaging, radiotherapy-based cancer treatments and high-precision industrial measurements.
FSU implements research strategic plan
Florida State has a new roadmap for meeting its ambitious research goals: ASPIRE — A Strategic Plan to Inspire Research Excellence. The plan incorporates input from faculty and the Council of Associate Deans for Research, analyses of funding and publication trends, and coordination with the university’s overall strategic plan to identify strategic areas of focus and investment that will ensure FSU’s research enterprise can make maximum impact.
Discovery Days celebrates research and creativity across university
The second annual Discovery Days was a weeklong celebration of the impactful work happening across FSU. The event reached nearly 2,500 people across the university, in Tallahassee and online. FSU researchers met with community and business leaders for panel discussions about how they could work together on solutions to problems. The week kicked off with the Pediatric Rare Disease Symposium, an examination of how to tackle the challenge of rare diseases in children. Discovery Days also highlighted FSU’s work to promote entrepreneurship, with an open house showcasing a new business incubator and Discovery Challenge, a “Shark Tank”-style business pitch competition where three startup companies walked away with a combined $110,000 in prize money.
FSU launches Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases, receives $6 million to continue crucial work
This year saw the launch of FSU’s Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases (IPRD), an institute dedicated to advancing research and developing treatments for unusual childhood diseases, filling a critical gap in health care. The institute was made possible by $1 million in funding from the Florida Legislature. Rep. Adam Anderson, R-Palm Harbor, whose son Andrew died from Tay-Sachs Disease, pushed for the funding, which was also supported by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The endeavor received a crucial boost during the second annual Discovery Days, when Anderson presented a $5 million check from the State of Florida for additional funding for IPRD.
IGNITE FSU helps researchers move from lab to marketplace
FSU was one of 18 universities nationwide to receive a first-of-its-kind award from the National Science Foundation for programs that will boost translational research and help scientists scale their work into products and solutions that can ultimately move from the lab into the public sphere. With the IGNITE entrepreneur support program, FSU is helping to grow new technology ventures through business development expertise, an expansive community network, top-of-the-line facilities, and access to funding sources.
National MagLab names new director
Florida State University named acclaimed researcher and industry leader Kathleen Amm as the new director of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, the largest and highest-powered magnet laboratory in the world and the only facility of its kind in the United States. Amm, who earned her doctorate from FSU in 1998, was director of the Magnet Division at Brookhaven National Laboratory before joining the National MagLab.
A LEGACY OF GIVING
FSU celebrates alumna, dedicates Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
FSU alumna Anne Spencer Daves, who spent 30 years as a fourth-grade educator in Central Florida, made a transformational gift to the university’s College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences — one of the largest ever for an education-related college in the country. In recognition of Daves’ lifelong generosity and support of education at FSU, President Richard McCullough dedicated the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences — the first FSU college named after an alumna. It is now known as Anne’s College.
FACULTY EXCELLENCE
FSU names esteemed family physician, education leader as College of Medicine dean
In July, Dr. Alma Littles, a distinguished family physician, was named permanent dean of the College of Medicine after serving as interim dean since February 2023. She previously held the position of senior associate dean for medical education and academic affairs for nearly 20 years.
Internationally renowned physicist named 2024-2025 Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor
Harrison Prosper, a professor in the Department of Physics since 1993, was recognized by FSU faculty members with the highest honor they can bestow upon one of their own — the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professorship. Prosper, a renowned physicist, is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
FSU music professor wins Grammy
Scotty Barnhart — a College of Music professor and internationally acclaimed jazz trumpeter — won his third Grammy Award during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony held Feb. 4. Barnhart, director of the Count Basie Orchestra, received the Grammy for “Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album” for the Count Basie Orchestra’s “Basie Swings The Blues.” In his 21st year teaching at the college, Barnhart continues to give lectures at universities around the world and tours with the Count Basie Orchestra for three months of the year.
Two faculty named Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors
The National Academy of Inventors named Professor Hui “Helen” Liu and Professor Longya Xu, both faculty at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, as Fellows of the organization for their work facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society.
Modern languages professor receives prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship
Martin Munro, eminent scholar of French and director of the Winthrop-King Institute for Contemporary French and Francophone Studies, received a 2024 Guggenheim Fellowship for his project that illuminates connections among four French-speaking global artists by examining the use of sound in their works.
Faculty and postdoctoral researcher named Fulbright Scholars
Six faculty members and one postdoctoral researcher at Florida State University received Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards for the 2024-2025 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Their expertise will take them to Finland, Colombia, Italy, India, Germany and Sweden.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND IMPACT
Florida State University looks to continue momentum with vital state funding
FSU received its largest state appropriation ever during the 2024 Florida legislative session, including nearly $83 million in new funds for capital projects.
FSU dedicates official home of Native American and Indigenous Studies Center
Florida State University dedicated the new home of its Native American and Indigenous Studies Center, bringing together FSU administrators, faculty and trustees and members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida for a special celebration during Homecoming Week. The NAIS Center is located at 535 W. College Ave., just steps from FSU’s iconic Westcott Fountain.
Capital Region Real-Time Crime Center receives national recognition for multi-agency collaboration and innovation
The Capital Region Real-Time Crime Center (CRRTCC), a groundbreaking multi-agency initiative dedicated to enhancing public safety in Tallahassee and Leon County headquartered at Florida State University, earned national recognition for its innovative approach and exceptional achievements in crime prevention and response in its first year of existence. The National Real Time Crime Center Association, which has more than 300 real-time crime centers in its membership, named the CRRTCC its Center of the Year during its annual conference in August.
ATHLETICS
FSU places 12th in annual Learfield Director’s Cup standings
In the annual Director’s Cup standings, which measure the overall strength of athletic programs, the Seminoles were the 12th-best program in the nation — FSU’s highest ranking in five years. Not only did FSU teams have a tremendous year competitively, but they did so while posting the two best academic semesters in school history.
