Florida State University has retained first-year students from their fall to spring semester at a record 99.2% rate, one of the highest in the country, and a testament to the school’s commitment to undergraduate student success.

First-semester retention measures the number of students who stay enrolled at the university from their first fall semester to spring semester. During the 2025-2026 academic year, 6,425 entered as first-year students and 6,374 stayed enrolled for the spring.

“We’re proud to sustain nationally recognized graduation and retention rates and to have a new university record with a 99.2% fall-to-spring retention,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “These outcomes reflect the holistic support and engagement we provide students, helping them feel at home at FSU and succeed in an academically invigorating environment.”

FSU broke a record in first-semester retention during the 2022-2023 academic year, reaching 99% for the first time. FSU’s investments in student success continue to result in record-breaking retention and graduation rates.

The university recently established the new Student Academic Success division, appointing former Dean of Undergraduate Studies Joe O’Shea as its new vice president. He leads the university’s comprehensive efforts to recruit, retain and graduate an accomplished student body.

“Across our university, we are collaborating and thinking strategically about how to deliver a rewarding college experience to our students,” said O’Shea, vice president for Student Academic Success. “Our fall-to-spring retention rates show that we take our commitment seriously to give all students from all backgrounds a world-class education at FSU and to set them up for success right away.”

In Fall 2025, FSU achieved its highest-ever 97% overall retention rate, which calculates how many first-year students stay enrolled from their first to second fall semesters. That number landed FSU No. 4 nationally among public universities. The most recently recorded national average retention rate from first to second fall was 82%, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

“Our fall-to-spring retention rates show that we take our commitment seriously to give all students from all backgrounds a world-class education at FSU and to set them up for success right away.” 

– Joe O’Shea, vice president for Student Academic Success

Earlier this year, the university also reached a four-year graduation rate record at 78%, placing FSU No. 9 nationally among public universities.

“Fall-to-spring retention rates offer insight into a uniquely important chapter in a student’s life,” said DeOnte Brown, dean of Undergraduate Studies and acting director of the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE). “The fact that so many of our students who complete their first semester return to school after winter break shows that they are finding community, connecting with their professors, and accessing the resources that help them succeed. We’re proud of the work we do to help students feel at home from Day 1.”

FSU ranks No. 1 for Best First-Year Experiences among public institutions in Florida in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges 2026” guidebook, a testament to the university’s exceptional support programs that drive student success and foster positive learning outcomes.

FSU runs an Office of Retention, which supports undergraduate students by helping them stay on track toward earning their degrees. It offers first‑year college transition and engagement programs, helping students overcome course registration challenges and connecting directly with students to offer additional guidance or resources.

Through the Office of Retention, the Engage 100 program manages first-year courses that introduce students to campus resources, academic skills and university life. Noles Everywhere connects students from out of state to peer leaders who help build support networks both on and off campus. The office also leads programs to support students who are repeating courses and campaigns that encourage timely graduation by promoting balanced course loads.

“Our mission is to ensure every undergraduate student feels supported as they navigate their academic journey, especially during the first year,” said Allison Peters, assistant dean of retention and academic engagement. “From innovative engagement programs to personalized outreach, we strive to help students build strong connections, effectively utilize university resources, and engage in meaningful educational activities.”

Recent investments in undergraduate student success have powered growth in the University Honors Program and Presidential Scholars Program, which serve high-achieving students with signature interdisciplinary courses, specialized advising, and dedicated housing, classroom and study space. The Honors Program was recently named No. 1 in the state of Florida.

FSU’s CARE for first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible students has grown to support nearly all students who qualify with funding, advising, mentoring, life coaching, study spaces and enrichment programming.

FSU offers 11 living-learning communities for first-year students, which allow students to live on campus with peers who share similar interests. FSU has earned the No. 1 spot among public schools in Florida on U.S. News & World Report’s Learning Communities list in the publication’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings.

The university operates the Advising First network of academic advising and guidance for students before they are admitted into their majors. Advising First runs specialized programs that include College Life Coaching, the Center for Academic Guidance and advising for students in the Exploratory major.

For more information about FSU’s Division of Student Academic Success, visit academicsuccess.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University student Zahria Moore grew up in a tough situation.  

As she describes it, her mother was abusive, struggled with alcohol dependency, and spent time in prison, causing Moore and her siblings to face food insecurity and homelessness. She saw school as her safe space, and that continued through college.  

Moore is set to graduate FSU this summer with a bachelor’s degree in criminology, thanks to FSU’s Unconquered Scholars Program, which provides support services and a community for students who have faced profound hardships during childhood that may increase their risk of leaving academia without a degree. 

The Unconquered Scholars Program held its annual banquet Monday, March 31, at FSU’s Miller Hall to celebrate the 136 students currently enrolled in the program and to recognize the 42 students who will be graduating this year. 

 “This program feels like drinking from a wishing well,” Moore said in her keynote address at the banquet. “Everything that I wanted, everything that I came to college looking for, I found in this remarkable program and these amazing people. My family, my home away from home, my safe space, my confidants.” 

 “This program feels like drinking from a wishing well. Everything that I wanted, everything that I came to college looking for, I found in this remarkable program and these amazing people.”

– Zahria Moore, Unconquered Scholar and summer 2025 graduate

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