Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, Florida, United States · Est. 1887 · HBCU

Florida's only public HBCU, founded 1887, with 9,313 students and strong programs in engineering, pharmacy, and law.

  • Founded October 3, 1887; third-largest HBCU by enrollment in the US
  • Public land-grant university; only public HBCU in Florida
  • 9,313 students (fall 2024): 7,890 undergraduates, 1,423 postgraduates
  • 14 colleges and schools offering 54 bachelor's, 29 master's, 1 professional, and 12 doctoral degrees
  • Ranked #1 public HBCU and #3 overall HBCU by US News (2024); #170 national universities
  • $44.5 million annual research funding; $135.7 million endowment (2025)

Academics

FAMU offers 100 degree programs across 14 colleges and schools, including the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, College of Law, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. The university has nine fully funded endowed eminent-scholars chairs and maintains an honors program for high-achieving undergraduates. FAMU's law school is one of five in the US where women enrollment exceeds men by a 2:1 ratio. The university conducts $44.5 million in annual research, with agriculture and health sciences as primary focus areas.

Campus & Student Life

The main campus spans 422 acres in Tallahassee, just south of the State Capitol. FAMU operates additional campuses in Orlando (law school) and Quincy (research center), with extension facilities in Crestview. The university features residential halls including FAMU Towers, FAMU Village, Venom Landing, and Sampson Hall. Student life includes the renowned Marching 100 band, active ROTC program, Gospel Choir, and numerous student organizations. Campus dining is managed by Metz Culinary Management, offering customizable meal plans for on-campus and commuter students.

Admissions

Fall 2022 incoming freshmen averaged a 3.8 high school GPA, 1019 SAT, and 22 ACT score, with a 31.9% admission rate. The undergraduate population is 89% Black, 5% Hispanic, 3% White, and 2% multiracial; 58% are low-income students. FAMU offers transfer pathways through its Ignite Transfer Program and welcomes international students. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) since 1935.

Outcomes & Research

FAMU's four-year graduation rate is 21%, with a six-year rate of 55%. The university ranked 216th nationally and 2nd among HBCUs for research and development expenditures (2017). In 1997, FAMU was named Time-Princeton Review 'College of the Year' and was cited in 1999 for awarding more baccalaureate degrees to African-Americans than any other institution. The Pharmacy College's research funding totals $20.2 million in federal support with $29.3 million committed.

Founded
1887
Type
HBCU
Courses
15
Total intake
Not yet verified
AffiliationState University System of Florida; historically black land-grant
Websitehttps://www.famu.edu/
HousingNot available
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
15
Avg career outcomes
$44.3K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
No
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources