FSU's first-year retention rate places among top 15 nationally

According to the most recent data reported to the Florida Board of Governors, Florida State University is retaining first-year students at a record rate.

Roughly 95% of FSU’s newest students who enrolled in summer and fall 2019 stayed for their sophomore year, serving a new record for the university. Also important to note, last year’s freshman class of about 7,100 students was the largest and most diverse in university history.

Over the past several years, Florida State has been proud of the virtual elimination of disparities in retention rates among its undergraduate population, which is historically very diverse. Nearly a third of these students are Pell Grant recipients and/or first-generation college students. Additionally, students who are enrolled in the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) program, a program that provides first-generation and underrepresented students the necessary resources and support networks that they could possibly need to flourish in a collegiate environment, outperformed FSU’s general student population, posting a 96.2% freshman retention rate.

“I am unsurprised by FSU being placed in the top 15 nationally for first-year retention rates,” said McKinley Champeau, a first-year student at FSU. “Amid the pandemic, FSU has done an incredible job of providing resources for all their students, especially freshmen, like myself, who have had trouble transitioning into the college lifestyle.”

The university demonstrates a number of ways in which it works to motivate students and keep their studies on track, especially during their first year. Florida State’s Engage 100 initiative offers a range of programs designed to pave the way to future success in college for freshmen. This program consists of small, mentor-guided group experiences that are centered on a particular topic, such as Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs), Living Learning Communities (LLCs) and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP).

When asking current freshmen why they chose to stay enrolled at Florida State University, students expressed extreme gratitude toward the inclusive environment and community that supports academic achievements that FSU has created for first-year students.

“I think that FSU creates a wonderful support system for their students in terms of academic success,” explained Ashleigh Kairalla, a current first-year student at FSU. “If you are ever having issues in your classes, there is always someone to turn to that will be willing to help.

Additionally, an exciting new program that the Division of Undergraduate Studies introduced this fall is Florida State Anywhere, a program for students who are unable to come to campus during the pandemic but still wish to engage with fellow students and support services.

“With the COVID-19 crisis, FSU has attempted to create as many options for new and returning students to stay involved in the community,” said Ashleigh Kairalla, a freshman at Florida State. “With a large amount of mental health crises due to lockdown, this encouragement from FSU really helps students to feel connected and grounded in their student body, which could definitely contribute to FSU’s high retention rates.”

The U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics reported that the 95% mark ranks in the Top 15 among national public universities and is well above the most recent national average retention rate of 81% for 4-year public institutions.

Tags: Press Release