FSU breaks record, with 74% four-year graduation rate tops in State University System

Florida State University’s four-year graduation rate of 74% places it No. 1 in the State University System and in the top 10 nationally among public universities, the university has announced.

Moreover, the academic success is the highest four-year graduation rate in the State University System’s history. FSU’s 84% six-year graduation rate also is the highest the FSU has achieved.

The four-year graduation rate is based on students entering in Fall 2016 and graduating by Summer 2020. The six-year rate covers students entering Fall 2014 and graduating by Summer 2020.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment that reflects well on our academically talented students as well as our dedicated faculty and staff who inspire and support them,” FSU President John Thrasher said in a news release. “The Florida Legislature, the Florida Board of Governors and the FSU Board of Trustees have championed our efforts, and the investments we have made in student success are paying off, not only for our students and their families but for Florida taxpayers who support our state universities.”

The record graduation rates, which represent students across all demographics, comes at a significant time for the university, as it joins other institutions in the State University System in warding off the threat of almost certain budget cuts in the upcoming legislative session.

Sally McRorie, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, attributes FSU’s outcome to several initiatives at the university. 

Students entering FSU get an academic map which gives them a guideline for planning courses toward earning their degrees. Students also are encouraged to carry at least 15 credit hours per semester — which keeps them on track to graduate in four years.

The Graduation Planning and Strategies Office works with students who have earned high credit hours to guide them toward graduation by helping them identify obstacles. Since 2017, nearly 1,500 students have posted degrees after working with the team.

The Engage 100 program started two years ago for freshmen and transfer students helps them to develop personal and social skills to keep them engaged on campus.

“All of these things build on one another,” McRorie said. “They build a culture of excellence. They build a culture where students come here expecting to have excellent academics and we want them to find it here.”

Joe O’Shea, dean of undergraduate studies and assistant provost, said the student success also reflects faculty’s ability to engage students in their coursework.

“Student success goes beyond support like tutoring, advising and financial aid,” O’Shea said. “We must also make sure that our classes are designed and taught in a way that all students can succeed. We've made remarkable progress in that area, and I’m so grateful to our faculty for their efforts.”

Contact senior writer Byron Dobson at bdobson@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @byrondobson.

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