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Full Sail University is a private, for-profit higher education institution located in Winter Park, Florida. Originally a recording studio, it did not start offering degrees until 2007. The school was ranked among the Top 50 Graphic Design Schools and Colleges in the US by the Animation Career Review in 2023. The Princeton Review also listed the institution among their Top Game Design Schools.


Overview of Full Sail University


Dedicated to providing students with an innovative style of education, Full Sail University had developed a unique curriculum that combines elements of creativity, art, business, life skills, technical prowess, aFSU academic achievement. Founded on the philosophy of inclusion, access, and supporting student dreams, the institution is comprised of an incredibly diverse group of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who come together to create one of the most unique and vibrant communities in the world.

The total student population at Full Sail University is 25,622, with 24,187 of those enrolled working towards undergraduate degrees. The institution employs 745 full-time and 37 part-time faculty members, all of whom provide instructional support. None of the professors employed are paid to perform research and public service. The resulting student-to-faculty ratio is 36:1, which is significantly higher than the average 15:1 for schools in the United States. Notably, the university does not maintain any graduate assistants.

General Information


School Type Private for-profit
Campus Setting Suburb: Large
Campus Housing No
Student Faculty Ratio 31:1
Graduation Rate 44%
Year Founded 1979

Student Enrollment


Total Students24,627

Undergraduate
23,030
Graduate
1,597

Undergraduate Student

Male 15,891
15,891
Female 7,139
7,139

Graduate Student

Male 1,102
1,102
Female 495
495

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Top Rankings For Full Sail University


Full Sail Acceptance Rate and Admissions


APPLICATIONSNA

Male NA
Female NA

ACCEPTANCENA

Male NA
Female NA

Acceptance RateNA

Male NA
Female NA

Enrollment NA

Male NA
Female NA
Admissions
Application Fee NA
High School GPA NA
High School Rank NA
High School Transcripts NA
College Prep Courses NA
Recommendations NA
SAT/ACT NA
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) NA
Application Deadline NA
Common Application Accepted NA

Full Sail Tuition Cost & Financial Aid


Full Sail University structures its tuition in a unique way that includes most expenses including textbooks, manuals, media, production materials, lab fees, technology fees, and other associated costs. Prices generally pertain to the full program, not just a single semester of instruction. It’s important to realize, however, that price can vary significantly between degree programs.

Undergraduate degree programs range between 60 and 120 credit hours of instruction. The least expensive program is cyber security completion, which costs $45,500 in total or $758 per credit hour. The most expensive programs are $88,000 in total, or $717 per credit hour. There are several of these including simulation and visualization, information technology, graphic design, game development, game art, film, and digital arts and design. Online tuition is typically lower. Programs range in cost from $32,000 to $63,500.

Graduate degree programs range between 41.5 and 58 credit hours of instruction. Film production and game design are the two least expensive programs, with a total cost of $36,000. The most expensive programs are entertainment business and entertainment business with sports management, which cost a total of $38,000. Online tuition is typically lower. Programs range in cost from $32,000 to $37,000.

There are also numerous certificates available. These vary in length and price significantly.

Notably, Full Sail University offers locked tuition. This means the cost of attendance will not increase throughout the program’s duration. Additionally, the institution has a free program called Project LaunchBox, which ensures those enrolled receive the equipment and software required to meet their industry’s ever-changing standards. Launch Boxes are unique to each degree program but are always designed to give students exactly what they need to create and build their portfolios.

While a lot is included in the total cost of attending Full Sail University, is important to note that all students are responsible for paying additional expenses. Other factors to consider are housing, meals, transportation, professional licensure/certification, and personal purchases.

Those seeking to enroll at Full Sail University can find financial assistance in many different forms - scholarships, grants, federal work study, and loans. In order to determine eligibility, all students begin by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). During the 2020-2021 academic year, 71% of students entering postsecondary education for the first time at the Full Sail University received some form of financial assistance. Of those, only 61% required federal or private student loans.

Average net price Current Year
Net Price $26,336
Average Total Aid $8,783
Students Receiving Financial Aid 80%
Room & Board $8,400

Sticker Price


  • Tuition In-State - $25,687
  • Tuition Out-of-State - $25,687
  • Books and Supplies - $530
  • Room & Board - $8,400
  • Other - $6,920

Popular Academic Programs at Full Sail


Full Sail University offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees designed for the world of entertainment media and emerging technologies. The institution’s creative approach to education provides an immersive, fast-paced, and relevant learning experience that mirrors the workflow and collaboration found throughout these rapidly evolving industries. Education is delivered via immersive teaching methods, both in real-world production studios and classrooms, as well as through an extensive online learning environment. Every degree program is designed to provide students with knowledge and real-world experience that will help them realize their career goals in the entertainment and media industry.

Students can choose from wide variety of programs in the following areas of study:

  • Art and Design
  • Business
  • Film and Television
  • Games
  • Media and Communications
  • Music and Recording
  • Sports
  • Technology

It’s important to realize that degree programs at Full Sail University are offered at an accelerated pace. This is meant to help students graduate in approximately half the time it takes at traditional four-year institutions. Courses are also designed to be taken in a specific order, with information building progressively. Additionally, online programs offer a fast-paced, immersive learning experience with 24/7 flexibility.

According to data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Full Sail University had a first-year undergraduate retention rate of 76% for full-time students in fall 2021. Notably, the national average is only 68%. Overall, this indicates that the majority of students enrolled at the university were happy enough with their experiences to return to the institution for a second year.

The overall graduation rate for full-time, first-time students who began their studies in fall 2015 was 40%, with a 2% transfer-out rate. Graduation rates indicate how frequently students complete their degrees or certificate programs within 150% of standard time, which is approximately six years. Most students strive to graduate within four years, however. Of those who started their education in 2015, 44% were able to graduate within this timeframe.

Full Sail University is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), which is listed by the US Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency. The institution is also licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education. Additionally, the university’s intensive English program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA).

Student Population Total


Student Population 24,627

Undergraduate
23,030
Graduate
1,597
Evening Classes : No
Online Learning : Yes

Most Popular Programs & Majors

(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)


All Visual and Performing Arts Majors 1489 Total Graduates / 51%
Digital Arts 261 Graduates
Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other 237 Graduates
Design and Applied Arts, Other 202 Graduates
Music Technology 194 Graduates
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services 501 Total Graduates / 17%
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, Other 238 Graduates
Communications Technology/Technician 146 Graduates
Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician 72 Graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies 341 Total Graduates / 12%
Human Computer Interaction 341 Graduates
English Language and Literature/Letters 234 Total Graduates / 8%
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other 234 Graduates
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs 154 Total Graduates / 5%
Communication and Media Studies, Other 119 Graduates
Sports Communication 35 Graduates
All Other Diplomas 7%

Outcome & Salary


Full Sail University conducts regular graduate surveys in order to maintain its accreditation status. They actively seek to collect information regarding graduation and job-placement rates. The resulting data is organized by program. Employment rates vary from 0-100%. The degrees with some of the greatest success rates include bachelor of computer science, bachelor of digital arts and design, associate of entertainment business, bachelor of entertainment business, bachelor of game art, master of game design, bachelor of game development, bachelor of information technology, and bachelor of graphic design.

Graduates Salary
College Grads Early Career Salary NA
College Grads Average Salary $59,000
College Grads Mid Career Salary NA
Return on Investment (ROI)
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential $590,000
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential NA
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year $105,344
10 Year Projected ROI $484,656
20 Year Projected ROI NA
No College Education Salary Comparison
National Average Salary $38,792
10 Year Projected Income $387,920
20 Year Projected Income $775,840

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