Florida State University Tops Study Abroad Rankings

Florida State University (FSU) is the top-ranked public university in the United States for long-term study abroad enrollments. According to the Institute for International Education's Open Doors 2025 Report, FSU also placed fourth overall in that category.

FSU's International Programs office runs study centers in London, Florence, Valencia, and Panama City, alongside faculty-led programs in over ten other global locations. The university also ranked tenth among public institutions and twelfth overall for the total number of students studying abroad. In the 2023-2024 academic year, 2,702 students participated in its overseas programs.

Louisa Blenman, executive director of International Programs, said the university has a long history of creating global opportunities. We look forward to continuing to provide traditional study abroad programs while also creating new opportunities for students and faculty to showcase the strengths of the university around the globe, Blenman stated.

First Year and Semester Abroad

Incoming first-year students can begin their college experience overseas through FSU's First Year Abroad (FYA) or First Semester Abroad (FSA) programs. These programs are based at the university's study centers in Florence, London, Valencia, or its branch campus in Panama City. The FYA and FSA initiatives celebrated their 20th anniversary in fall 2025, marking nearly 3,000 program alumni.

Historic Global Campuses

FSU's international footprint spans decades. Its presence in Panama began in 1957 under a U.S. Department of Defense contract to educate military families. It evolved into a degree-granting branch campus in 1967. Today, FSU Panama serves around 500 students from more than 30 countries and offers a "2+2"scholarship program for students from Latin America and the Caribbean. The Florence study center opened in 1966."Mud Angels."The program now operates from a restored Renaissance palace, hosting over 600 students annually."2+2"scholarship program. |

| Florence Study Center | 1966 | Hosts 600+ students annually; permanent home in a restored Renaissance palace.fell in love with the city. The Valencia program now operates year-round from two historic buildings that preserve centuries-old architectural features.

These global centers provide classrooms, labs, and student housing, facilitating immersion in local culture and academia. FSU's long-standing commitment continues to shape its international educational offerings.