July 28, 2025

Florida State University Approves Fee Increase for Out-of-State Students

News Summary

Florida State University (FSU) has approved a 10% fee increase for out-of-state students, starting in the upcoming Fall semester. This decision, made by the FSU Board of Trustees, follows a similar hike by the University of Florida. It’s the first fee increase for out-of-state students at FSU in over ten years, aimed at managing rising costs while keeping in-state tuition affordable. Other Florida universities are considering similar adjustments, reflecting the ongoing financial challenges faced by the state’s public university system.

Florida State University Approves 10% Fee Increase for Out-of-State Students

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida State University (FSU) has approved a 10% increase in fees for out-of-state students, a decision made by the FSU Board of Trustees on Thursday, July 24, 2025. This fee hike will be effective starting in the upcoming Fall semester and will not impact students who are residents of Florida.

The increase in fees follows a similar decision by the University of Florida, which also approved a 10% tuition hike for out-of-state students the day prior. This is the first fee increase for out-of-state students at FSU in over a decade, with the last adjustment occurring in 2011. The Board of Trustees Chairman cited the necessity of these changes to manage rising operational costs and maintain affordable tuition rates for in-state students.

Details of the Increased Fees

With the upcoming fee increase, the cost per credit hour for undergraduate out-of-state students will rise from $481 to $529. Additionally, graduate tuition rates will increase from $1,110 to $1,173, while law students will see their rates go from $1,355 to $1,421. Medical student fees will also increase significantly, from $32,905 to $36,196.

University System Context

The decision to increase fees comes against a backdrop of discussions among Florida’s public universities. FSU’s Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration mentioned that other universities including Florida A&M University (FAMU), Florida International University (FIU), the University of South Florida (USF), and the University of Central Florida (UCF) are contemplating similar fee increases. However, FAMU’s interim president confirmed that FAMU will not be raising tuition for out-of-state students for the upcoming academic year but might consider it for Fall 2026.

The state university system’s Board of Governors has opened the opportunity for universities to increase out-of-state fees, permitting a 10% increase for Fall 2025 and a potential 15% increase for Fall 2026. This measure aims to ensure that universities can continue to provide quality education while managing financial demands.

Student Enrollment Figures

As of the last academic year, FSU had approximately 7,800 out-of-state students enrolled. With the new fee structure, the university aims to maintain a balance in the ratio of in-state to out-of-state students, a factor officials see as crucial to sustaining the affordability of education for Florida residents.

Financial Implications

In addition to discussing fee increases, the FSU Board of Trustees also reviewed a legislative budget request seeking $101 million in nonrecurring funds for various university initiatives. The budgeting efforts underline the institution’s commitment to continuing its educational and operational growth while tackling rising costs.

Despite the fee increases, Florida’s public universities, including FSU, are still considered among the most affordable options for out-of-state students in the United States. The recent adjustments, while potentially challenging for students from other states, reflect ongoing efforts to balance financial sustainability and educational accessibility across the university system.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER

The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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