TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State University is boasting the highest graduation rate in state history: Seven out of 10 students finish within four years.
The success was highlighted at the Board of Governors meeting Tuesday.
"We're proud of our progress and we don't take it for granted and we certainly are not going to let our foot off the gas," FSU President John Thrasher said.
Students we spoke with said graduating in four years helps them in the long run.
"We definitely will have like less student loans and stuff," FSU freshman Tiffany Weidner said.
"You get more experience than someone who wouldn't graduate in four years," said another freshman at Florida State, Brendan Ledesma. "You get more experience in the actual workforce."
The graduation rate is up 3 percent over last year and almost 20 percent since 2005.
FSU said the steady increase is the result of a targeted approach, including what's called the "Take 15 Initiative," which encourages students to take 15 credit hours a semester.
"It really helps them focus and it helps them do better, because they have to manage their time and be smart about the work that they're doing," said dean of undergraduate studies Karen Laughlin.
The increasing student success at FSU has also made it a popular choice for students applying for college.
A record 51,000 students applied for the 2018 summer and fall semesters. But the university will have to turn away about nine out of 10 applicants.
Thrasher said the high level of interest has its own challenges.
"We don't want to cut folks out that really have an opportunity to come here, and so we're enhancing our opportunity in our CARE program, which goes out and tries to solicit kids that probably may be on the margin," Thrasher said.
FSU is currently ranked the 33rd best public university in the country. Leadership hopes to break into the top 25 within the next three years.
FSU announced it will be getting $98.7 million in performance funding this week. The money will go towards helping the university reach its goals.