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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Victoria Vargas chose to attend Florida State University for its campus culture, supportive community and diversity of programs and resources.

She is currently a social media intern in the Office of University Communications, where she assists in creating and managing content for various university platforms, helping to enhance the university’s outreach and engagement.

Vargas is involved with the Bryan Hall Exploration & Discovery Living-Learning Community, where, along with her peers, she is establishing a new student organization to bridge the gap between present and past cohorts of students who lived at Bryan Hall.

Her passion for music and marketing has inspired her to explore the various resources available at FSU that have helped her develop her skills and achieve her career goals.

Describe your significant accomplishments while at FSU:

I have achieved significant academic milestones that have propelled my career forward. Consistently earning placement on the Dean’s List underscores my dedication to academic excellence and mastery of course materials. My most notable accomplishment stems from leveraging the opportunities provided by the College of Business, particularly through participation in case competitions and attendance at business fairs. These experiences honed my strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities and networking skills. This preparation helped secure a highly coveted internship at NBCUniversal, a testament to the practical application of my academic knowledge and the invaluable support of FSU’s business education. This internship provided a platform to further develop my skills and served as a stepping-stone towards achieving my career aspirations in the dynamic realm of media and entertainment.

Describe any significant community service, leadership or contributions you partook in outside of the classroom:

At FSU, my leadership and contributions extend far beyond the classroom. Serving as a peer mentor, I’ve been deeply involved in nurturing a supportive community within the Bryan Hall Exploratory Living Learning Community. However, my commitment to fostering community engagement doesn’t end there. Together with my team, we are embarking on the establishment of a new registered student organization, where I’ll proudly assume the role of president. This organization serves as a vital conduit for maintaining connections with our community, bridging the gap between past and present cohorts of students who have called Bryan Hall home. Our mission transcends mere involvement; it’s about creating a legacy of support and camaraderie that will endure long after our time at FSU.

Through this organization, we aim to provide ongoing support, mentorship and opportunities for personal and academic growth to students within our community. By fostering a sense of continuity and shared purpose, we’re not only enriching the collegiate experience for current residents, but also laying the foundation for a vibrant and enduring community that will continue to thrive for years to come. My leadership in this endeavor underscores my dedication to serving others and leaving a lasting impact on the FSU community, embodying the spirit of leadership and service that defines my collegiate journey.

How did your work positively contribute to the FSU or Tallahassee community?

As a peer mentor for the Bryan Hall Exploration & Discovery Living-Learning Community (LLC) at FSU, I’ve been deeply involved in its renovation and rejuvenation. Beyond my core responsibilities of coordinating weekly activities to foster community engagement and developing lesson plans for peer mentor-led classes, I’ve taken on additional roles to promote the LLC. Acting as a liaison between the marketing department of University Housing and our community, I’ve facilitated effective communication channels to showcase the unique benefits of our LLC to current and prospective students. Moreover, I’ve extended my involvement by contributing to our social media efforts, crafting engaging strategies to attract future students and sharing the vibrant atmosphere of our community online.

In addition to my promotional efforts, I’ve been dedicated to bringing innovative ideas to our community, aiming to enhance the overall experience for residents. I’ve remained committed to fostering an environment of growth and inclusivity within the LLC through organizing new events, implementing creative teaching methodologies or proposing improvements to existing programs. My multifaceted contributions as a peer mentor have played a pivotal role in revitalizing our community, strengthening bonds among residents and ensuring continued success as a dynamic hub of academic and social engagement at FSU.

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Picture this scene from a Florida State University residence hall: two students playing the classic beginner tune “Heart and Soul” on a piano. But in this rendition, the students shift into the minor key, insert jazz improvisations and jam out. 

That’s because they’re music majors, and Cawthon Hall hosts a Living-Learning Community (LLC) where music students can live and learn together in literal harmony.  

“People play ‘Heart and Soul’ all the time, but music majors make it interesting,” said Sarita Thosteson, a music and behavioral neuroscience double major Honors Program student who lives in Cawthon, one of 11 LLCs that FSU offers.  

This year, FSU will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the university’s robust Living-Learning Communities, designed to help students bond inside and outside of the classroom through a shared set of academic interests and pursuits.  

The university will mark the anniversary from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, March 30, when LLC residents past and present can come to the courtyard between Azalea and Magnolia residence halls to enjoy cupcakes and specialty coffee drinks from The Frother’s Daughter. 

“We’re so proud of the 25-year legacy of Living-Learning Communities at FSU,” said Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs. “LLCs offer a unique opportunity for students to start their first year strong and build lifelong friendships around their passions and interests with like-minded peers.”   

LLCs offer programming, colloquium classes, faculty mentorship and networking for those pursuing nursing, engineering, health professions, global and public affairs, entrepreneurship and innovation, and more. They represent a range of options for students and a rich history of student engagement that continues to grow and evolve to this day. 

The first and oldest LLC on campus is the Exploration & Discovery Learning Community at Bryan Hall, which launched in 1997 and houses students with undeclared majors who want to explore their options.  

The newest LLC, known as FGEN Noles, invites students who are the first in their families to attend college to live together their first year and access resources that set them up for success.  

The farthest flung LLC is the Florence Immersion community, which cultivates leadership skills, language acquisition and cross-cultural competencies to enhance the experience for those participating in the First Year Abroad program in Florence, Italy.  

The Women in Math, Science and Engineering LLC has garnered national attention for its support of women in STEM. 

“LLCs help students succeed and flourish during their first year and well past it,” said Joe O’Shea, associate provost and dean of Undergraduate Studies. “Students live with others in their field of interest and receive regular mentorship from a faculty director. This uniquely immersive, inspiring experience empowers students for their entire undergraduate career.” 

In the most recent survey of LLC students, 100% of respondents within the 2021 cohort said they intended to return to FSU the following year, and 94% of respondents said they experienced a positive academic transition to college. Ninety percent of respondents said they experienced a positive social transition to college. 

Mark Zeigler, a teaching professor in the School of Communication and the faculty director for the exploratory LLC at Bryan Hall, has been involved in LLCs for 13 years and said it’s a great way for students to find a close-knit community at a big university. 

“It makes Florida State more personal. Students feel engaged from the get-go,” Zeigler said. “You’re living with someone you know; you’re across the hall from somebody you know; and in the next suite are other people you know.”  

Life in an LLC lays the groundwork for future success and helps build lasting relationships that take students well beyond their freshman year and even past graduation. 

Stephanie and David Ruizcalderon, two FSU alumni from the Class of 2016 who now work in Orlando, began a friendship during their first year in a Wildwood Hall LLC, and that friendship eventually blossomed into a romance. They married in 2020 and welcomed a daughter last year. 

“When I was looking to enter FSU, I wanted a community where I could bring my perspective but also meet people with other backgrounds and other perspectives,” Stephanie Ruizcalderon said.  

Before college, she had spent her whole life in the same part of Miami, where everybody she knew shared a similar ethnic and religious background.  

“I didn’t have a lot of people in my life who were different from me, and I was looking to widen my lens.” 

For more information, visit housing.fsu.edu/living-learning-communities. Applications for next year’s LLCs are due April 3, 2023.   

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