Why FSU?

Students enrolled in fully online programs at FSU earn the same degree as their on-campus counterparts.

Student-centered Learning at a Top Research Institution

A comprehensive, graduate research university, FSU is among U.S. News & World Report's top-ranked public universities and boasts the highest amount of National Science Foundation research funding in the state. In addition to a rigorous academic reputation, FSU is committed to a student-centered education. The university's four-year graduation rate is among the highest in the nation at 75%, while the retention rate reached 96% for the first time in FSU history. Students enrolled in fully online programs at FSU earn the same degree as their on-campus counterparts.

Courses Taught by Expert and Award-winning Faculty

FSU’s renowned faculty are recognized as leaders in their disciplines. They include Pulitzer Prize winners, Fulbright Scholars, Nobel Laureates, and Guggenheim and National Endowment for the Humanities fellows. In 2022-23, the university received over $300 million in federal, state, and private research awards. Faculty researchers use funding to pursue new knowledge and discoveries. When you enroll in an online program at FSU, you learn from the same esteemed faculty who teach FSU’s on-campus courses.

When you enroll in an online program at FSU, you’ll be learning from the same renowned faculty who teach FSU’s on-campus courses.

A Focus on Connection

While online students may not interact with their peers and instructors exactly the way their on-campus counterparts do, they can create connections and build a successful learning community. At FSU, colleges and departments strive to foster connections that engage and support students in their online experience. Some organize study groups by geographic location, some livestream events, others host real-time forums for asking questions and interacting with peers, and some require a campus visit designed to create vital connections between students. Regardless of your distance, FSU is ready to support your learning and help you succeed.

Student Support

FSU’s online students have access to a broad range of resources and specialized services to make learning online more convenient.

  • Academic advising
  • Career advising
  • Academic tutoring
  • Skill building and time management assistance
  • Library services
  • Online mentoring
  • Online readiness and orientation programs
  • Systems to identify and support at-risk online students
  • Student disability support and resources
  • Veterans services
  • Technical support
  • Virtual computer lab with access to 30+ software applications
  • Encrypted cloud-based storage and backup for up to 5 TB of files
  • Software courses and tutorials

Flexible Delivery Methods

To leverage the best of online learning, FSU’s colleges and departments offer synchronous and asynchronous learning formats, as well as a mix of both. Synchronous learning provides students a chance to engage with course content and peers in real time, helping foster connections important to online student success. Asynchronous learning, because it can be done no matter the time, provides convenience and flexibility, especially for students balancing work or family commitments alongside classes.

FSU extends out-of-state tuition waivers to eligible veterans and their dependents.

A Military and Veteran-friendly Education

Rated “Best for Vets” in U.S. News and World Report, FSU’s online programs provide active and former service members flexible, convenient options for pursuing a degree or certificate. FSU accepts tuition assistance from every branch of the military and extends out-of-state tuition waivers to eligible veterans and their dependents. See our Veterans and Active Duty Military page for more.