Florida State University MBA Tuition and Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

Pursuing an MBA is a significant investment in one's future, and understanding the tuition, fees, and requirements is crucial for prospective students. Florida State University (FSU) offers a range of MBA programs designed to equip students with the skills, expertise, and professional network needed to thrive in today's business environment. This article provides a detailed overview of the tuition costs, admission requirements, and financial aid options for the MBA programs at Florida State University, as well as insights into related programs at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and the University of Florida (UF).

MBA Program Overview at Florida State University

Florida State University's College of Business offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) that equips students with the skills, expertise and professional network needed to advance in today’s fast-paced business world. The program is designed for highly motivated individuals seeking a competitive edge. Taught by renowned College of Business faculty members who provide students with individualized attention, the program benefits from its unparalleled access to top industry policy makers and regulators in Florida's capital city.

The application deadline for the online MBA programs at Florida State University is rolling. For these programs, all of the online classes are recorded and archived. The online MBA programs at Florida State University are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the gold standard of business school accreditation.

Curriculum and Specializations

Traditional MBA students take a core set of courses aimed at strengthening their managerial skills in the fundamentals ranging from accounting and marketing to operations and strategy. Students may customize their MBA by choosing 9 credit hours (3 courses) of electives to create an MBA specialization.

FSU offers a variety of MBA specializations to cater to different career goals. Some of the popular specializations include:

Business Intelligence and Data Analytics: This concentration provides in-depth knowledge of business analysis techniques, with opportunities to apply these techniques to real-world problems in the SAP lab.
Finance: This MBA in Finance offers a comprehensive study of financial theory, mathematics, quantitative finance, investments, markets, financial reporting and analysis, and valuation.
Marketing: The MBA in Marketing provides learners with hands-on, real-world projects to increase their communication and promotional business skillsets.
Project Management: This MBA in Project Management is a newer offering.

Starting in fall 2025, incoming online MBA students can choose to pursue a new major in Alternative Investments and Finance. The new offering leverages the multidisciplinary nature of the MBA program and the college’s historic strengths in risk management/insurance, real estate and finance.

Tuition and Fees at FSU

Tuition is set annually by the Florida Legislature, with additional local and university fees set by the Florida State University Board of Trustees and the Florida Board of Governors. Some courses are assessed additional costs for online fees, labs, materials and supplies, and general cost recovery.

As of 2025, the tuition per credit is $810.

Distance Learning Programs

Distance Learning academic programs are offered through academic departments as fully-online programs of study. These rates are unique to programs offered fully online through the Office of Distance Learning, not programs which are generally offered online separate from a distance learning academic program.

Students pay the same price, plus applicable fees, for courses regardless of location.

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Admission Requirements for FSU MBA Programs

Admission to the Master of Business Administration program is highly competitive. The decision is based on a portfolio of qualifications, including prior academic experience, work experience, optional entrance exam scores (such as GMAT or GRE) and letters of recommendation. Entrance exam scores are optional for this program and can be submitted if they enhance an application.

The graduate application at FSU is a 2-step process. Required application materials vary by department and will be reflected on your Status Page checklist within one day.

General Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution.

The following items should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office:

I. Current resume/C.V., clearly indicating work experience including dates and positions held, noting full-time or part-time employment.

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II. Official test results are required from a nationally standardized graduate admission test. or an equivalent test that is acceptable for the program to which the applicant is applying. These scores are considered official only when they are sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing agency. Some programs offer an option to waive the GRE requirement. A list of these programs can be found here.

Applicants must submit an official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college and/or university attended to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions. Official transcripts for these credits must also be submitted.

International Applicants

International applicants whose native language is not English or who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in an English-speaking country are required to take an English Language Proficiency exam and submit official test results in order to be admitted to Florida State University.

Credential evaluations are required for degrees earned at international institutions prior to application review. This verifies degree equivalency and serves in place of additional official or unofficial transcripts. This evaluation must be done by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). FSU offers a partnership with The Evaluation Company (formerly SpanTran), our preferred credential evaluation service, which allows a streamlined process at a discounted rate.

Financial Aid and Scholarships at FSU

Many of our programs offer competitive assistantships - which may waive up to the full tuition cost - as well as scholarships and fellowships, as listed by the Graduate School. Florida State also offers other funding incentives, such as the Florida State Employee Tuition Waiver and the C. W. Ph.D.

The College of Business offers a limited number of assistantships to students admitted into the Accelerated, Full-Time MBA format. The University offers several fellowship and assistantship opportunities. The College automatically nominates those qualified applicants whose files are complete by Jan. 1 each year for these awards. Applicants are encouraged to complete application files by Dec. Learn more about the college's financial assistance options for graduate students.

The MBA LOANS® program is the only loan program endorsed by the Graduate Management Admission Council® (GMAC®) as part of the mission to promote access to graduate management education. The MBA LOANS Program is offered by Sallie Mae®, the largest student loan provider in the United States.

Combined Pathways

Top FSU undergraduates majoring in finance, human resource management, management information systems, marketing, real estate or risk management/insurance may get a jump-start on an MBA by applying to a combined pathway. Accepted students will be able to substitute three graduate courses for undergraduate ones and double count up to nine required credit hours toward both bachelor's and master's degrees. Students are eligible if they have an overall grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.4, an overall, upper-division GPA of at least 3.2, and an upper-division GPA of at least 3.2 in their specific major's coursework. Students accepted to the combined pathway will still be required to apply separately to the MBA program and meet all MBA application requirements.

MBA Programs at Other Florida Universities

While this article primarily focuses on FSU, it's worth noting MBA options at other Florida universities.

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)

Florida Gulf Coast University offers an online MBA program designed for working professionals. The program emphasizes the application of analytical, technical, and behavioral tools to meet organizational challenges. Leadership and teamwork skills are integrated throughout the program, as are lessons on the appropriate application of technology, entrepreneurial approaches, and global and ethical awareness.

*Tuition is as low as $12,322. Waiver available for out-of-state tuition.

University of Florida (UF)

The University of Florida's Warrington College of Business offers a variety of MBA programs, including full-time, part-time, and online options. Like FSU, UF provides financial aid and scholarship opportunities for graduate students.

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