The State University System of Florida (SUS) has announced the start of the 2025-2026 academic year, welcoming both new and returning students. The system highlighted its achievements over the past year, including a record-high post-graduation employment rate and an increase in the median yearly salary for bachelor’s degree graduates to $51,000. SUS also continues to offer the lowest in-state tuition costs among public universities nationwide.
Chancellor Ray Rodrigues addressed students, faculty, and staff at the beginning of the school year. “I am proud to welcome students to the 2025-26 academic year and celebrate the more than 430,000 students across our 12 public universities statewide,” said Rodrigues. “As the #1 System in the nation, our commitment to student success is reflected in our focus on providing affordable and accessible high-quality education, setting the standard in ensuring students earn degrees that prepare them for meaningful careers and drive Florida’s workforce forward. I wish all students, faculty, and staff a safe, enriching, and successful academic year ahead.”
Classes begin on different dates at each of SUS’s twelve universities: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (August 25), Florida Atlantic University (August 16), Florida Gulf Coast University (August 18), Florida International University (August 25), Florida Polytechnic University (August 18), Florida State University (August 25), New College of Florida (August 18), University of Central Florida (August 18), University of Florida (August 21), University of North Florida (August 18), University of South Florida (August 25), and University of West Florida (August 25).
