Florida State University (FSU) reported significant achievements throughout 2025, citing advancements in academic rankings, student success, research, health care initiatives, and campus development.
The university achieved its highest-ever national ranking this year. U.S. News & World Report placed FSU at No. 21 among public universities and No. 51 overall nationally, marking the institution’s best performance to date. Other rankings also recognized FSU for its first-year experiences and learning communities.
Graduation and retention rates reached new highs. The freshman retention rate climbed to 97%, while the four-year graduation rate rose to a record 78%. The six-year graduation rate reached 86%. Transfer students posted an 80% graduation rate, the highest in Florida’s State University System.
FSU expanded support for first-generation students through programs such as First-Gen Explorers and CARE’s Global Learning Community. Nearly one-quarter of undergraduates are first-generation college students. President Richard McCullough appointed Joe O’Shea as Vice President for Student Academic Success to oversee these efforts.
Two students from the College of Arts and Sciences received the Barry Goldwater Scholarship in recognition of their research potential in natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
Research activity at FSU increased notably. Faculty submitted $1.22 billion in proposals and recorded $487 million in research expenditures—a 50 percent rise since 2021. The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory set a world record with a compact superconducting magnet called “Little Big Coil.” The university also launched new initiatives including InSPIRE for aerospace innovation and expanded its Quantum Initiative by hiring additional faculty and postdoctoral fellows.
The College of Law established Florida’s only First Amendment Clinic under Professor Denise M. Harle’s leadership, focusing on constitutional litigation.
In partnership with UNIQLO, the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship became the first U.S. college to join with the global retailer on talent development programs.
Health care initiatives advanced through a partnership with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare to create an academic health center supporting education, research, and patient care across North Florida. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with City Manager Reese Goad for transferring city-owned hospital assets to facilitate this transition.
Jeremy Slaga was named FSU’s first Vice President and Chief Clinical Operations Officer to expand clinical training opportunities regionally.
Following passage of HB 907—the Sunshine Genetics Act—FSU will house the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases within its College of Medicine as part of a statewide genomic medicine initiative funded by $3 million in initial support.
A $10 million gift from Bruce and Tracey Berkowitz along with the Fairholme Foundation will expand nursing education at FSU Panama City amid regional workforce shortages.
New facilities completed include Legacy Hall—the new home for the College of Business—and IGNITE Tallahassee, a business incubator designed to foster tech startups using shared labs and collaborative spaces.
In arts programming, FSU marked milestones such as acquiring Governor’s Square theater for film school use; launching an institute focused on art therapy; celebrating anniversaries within music programs; hosting creative arts festivals; and commemorating stewardship over The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art after adding more than 12,000 works over 25 years.
Faculty received national honors: three joined the National Academy; Vice President Stacey S. Patterson was named Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors; four faculty were recognized as NAI Senior Members; Pamela Keel was named Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor; Gwen Welliver became a Guggenheim Fellow; President McCullough was inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame for his work on organic electronic materials.
Internationally, FSU ranked No. 1 among public universities—and No. 4 overall—for long-term study abroad enrollments according to IIE Open Doors’ latest report. Its First Year Abroad program saw record participation during its twentieth anniversary year.
Campus life included responding to an unusual winter storm that closed classes temporarily due to snow—an event described as once-in-a-generation—and rebuilding traditions like erecting a new big top tent for the Flying High Circus after tornado damage last year.
Athletically, FSU women’s soccer won its fifth national title by defeating Stanford in December’s NCAA championship match held in Kansas City—a second title within three years—and reported a school-record Graduation Success Rate among student-athletes at 91%.
The university community mourned losses including those from an April campus shooting—prompting enhanced safety measures—as well as former president John Thrasher (who served from 2014–2021), chemist Robert Holton (noted for work on Taxol), and Alan Marshall (known for contributions to analytical chemistry).
Looking ahead, First Lady Dr. Jai Vartikar will lead preparations for FSU’s upcoming 175th anniversary celebration throughout 2026 aimed at honoring institutional history statewide.
