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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.
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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 |
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Campus Setting | Suburb: Large |
Campus Housing | No |
Student Faculty Ratio | 31:1 |
Graduation Rate | 44% |
Year Founded | 1979 |
Student Enrollment
Total Students24,627
23,030
1,597
Undergraduate Student
Male 15,891
Female 7,139
Graduate Student
Male 1,102
Female 495
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Top Rankings For Full Sail University
Full Sail Acceptance Rate and Admissions
APPLICATIONSNA
ACCEPTANCENA
Acceptance RateNA
Enrollment NA
Admissions | |
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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 |
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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).
Retention
Rate
4 year
Graduation
Rate
6 year
Graduation
Rate
Student Population Total
Student Population 24,627
23,030
1,597
Most Popular Programs & Majors
(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)
All Visual and Performing Arts Majors | 1489 Total Graduates / 51% |
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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 | |
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College Grads Early Career Salary | NA |
College Grads Average Salary | $59,000 |
College Grads Mid Career Salary | NA |
Return on Investment (ROI) | |
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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 | |
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National Average Salary | $38,792 |
10 Year Projected Income | $387,920 |
20 Year Projected Income | $775,840 |
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