Study in Tallahassee, The United States

About Tallahassee

Tallahassee is the capital of Florida, in the north of the state, and a university town at heart: two large public universities, Florida State University and Florida A&M University, are based in the city. The U.S. Department of Education's College Navigator classifies both campuses as being in a midsize city, and between them they count more than 53,000 students.

For an international student, Tallahassee offers campus life in a smaller, quieter setting than Florida's big coastal cities, with free buses for university students and a mild winter.

Studying in Tallahassee

Our directory lists two universities in Tallahassee and one study abroad provider, Florida State University's International Programs. Teaching is in English, and the academic year typically runs from September to May, according to EducationUSA, the State Department's advising network.

Florida State University (FSU) is a public university with its main campus on South Copeland Street. College Navigator counts 43,889 students, 32,720 of them undergraduates, and a ratio of 17 students per teacher. It awards degrees from associate to doctoral level, lists study abroad among its learning opportunities and offers non-credit English as a Second Language courses.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) was founded on 3 October 1887 and is a public, historically Black university. It is part of the State University System of Florida, is an 1890 land-grant doctoral and research institution, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. FAMU states that it enrols nearly 10,000 students from across the United States and more than 70 countries; College Navigator gives 9,313 students and a ratio of 14 to 1. Besides the main campus, FAMU has satellite sites in Florida, including its College of Law in Orlando.

Student visa

International degree students usually need an F student visa, which also covers English courses at a language institute; J exchange visas are for exchange programmes. Once admitted, you receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from the university's international student office and present it when you apply for the visa. With permission from that office, international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year, according to EducationUSA.

Cost of living for students

International students pay the out-of-state rate at Florida's public universities. College Navigator gives these estimates for a first-year undergraduate in the 2024-25 academic year:

• Florida State University: $18,786 in out-of-state tuition and fees, $13,474 for food and housing on campus, about $38,530 in total
• Florida A&M University: $17,725 in out-of-state tuition and fees, $12,328 for food and housing on campus, about $36,985 in total

The totals also include books and other expenses. Figures change every year, so check each university's current cost page before planning a budget.

Getting around and daily life

The city's bus network, StarMetro, is free for FSU and FAMU students, who swipe their valid student ID card. For other riders, a single trip with transfer costs $1.25 and a 31-day pass $38.00. Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) serves the city.

The climate is warm. NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals give Tallahassee an average temperature of 52.2 °F (about 11 °C) in January and 82.5 °F (about 28 °C) in July.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Tallahassee?

Our directory lists Florida State University and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), both public universities, and Florida State University's International Programs, a study abroad provider.

How much does a year at a university in Tallahassee cost?

For 2024-25, College Navigator estimates about $38,530 at Florida State University and $36,985 at FAMU for a first-year out-of-state undergraduate living on campus, including tuition, food and housing.

Is the bus free for students in Tallahassee?

Yes. StarMetro buses are fare-free for FSU and FAMU students who swipe a valid student ID card.

Can I learn English in Tallahassee?

Florida State University offers non-credit English as a Second Language courses, according to College Navigator.