Admit rate has ranged 72%–94% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Stetson University, a private liberal arts school in DeLand, Florida, blends Southern charm with academic ambition. Known for its intimate 10:1 student-faculty ratio and strong business programs, it attracts go-getters despite its high acceptance rate. The campus thrives with Greek life (17 chapters) and a 'Top 10' student experience ranking from the Wall Street Journal.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,297
In-state tuition
$57,410
Out-of-state tuition
$57,410
Greek Chapters
17
Acceptance Rate
71.6%-92% (varies by source)
4-Year Grad Rate
57%
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Avg Debt at Graduation
$29,276
Median Alumni Salary (6 yrs)
$44,792
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$51,642
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.7×
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
Graduation rate
62%
First-year retention
78%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
62%
Pell (lower-income) share
55%
First-generation share
27%
Endowment / student
$170,010
Financial health
2.5 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Finance and Financial Management Services$48,667
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations$44,776
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$42,012
Business Administration, Management and Operations$39,009
Marketing$37,748
Accounting and Related Services
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
0.87
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
138
Summer high
89°F
Winter low
55°F
Annual rain
56.8"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
92
Scholarly works
2,143
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
2.6%
Bottom → top quintile
36%
From bottom quintile
7%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Stetson University?
Stetson University's acceptance rate is approximately 72% (DeLand, FL), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Stetson University?
Admitted students at Stetson University typically score 1060–1270 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Stetson University cost?
At Stetson University, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,372 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Stetson University?
Stetson University enrolls approximately 2,297 undergraduate students.
Where is Stetson University located?
Stetson University is located in DeLand, FL.
Admissions
Stetson's Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. swings wildly across sources—from 71.6% (College Board) to 92% (Quora)—but its admissions office insists selectivity is increasing yearly. The middle 50% SAT range falls between 988-1213, with an average GPA around 2.75 for admitted students. Notably, 8,359 applicants were accepted from 11,674 applications in a recent cycle, yielding a 2,349-student freshman class. The university emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., with admissions counselors available at 386-822-7100.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$36,674
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$36,312
Political Science and Government$32,569
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
With 95+ majors and a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, Stetson leans into its strengths: business (the most popular major), music, and digital arts. U.S. News ranks it among the South's 'Most Innovative' schools, while 63% of students graduate within six years. The Princeton Review highlights standout programs in health sciences and psychology, with 57% finishing in four years—a rate placing it in the top 30% nationally. Classes are small, and undergrads can tap into 100+ areas of study, from finance to the visual arts.
Greek life dominates social scenes (17 chapters, including three Divine Nine organizations), but campus offers 100+ clubs and 22 intramural sports. Reddit threads describe a 'great if you like having friends and also your own space' vibe, with some frats 'dying while others thrive.' The Wall Street Journal ranked student experience in the top 10%, citing traditions like Greenfeather philanthropy week. Housing is guaranteed, and the compact campus fosters tight-knit communities—though Niche reviews note mixed opinions on dining options.
Six years post-graduation, alumni earn a median $44,792—though 57% finish in four years (topping national averages). The university touts its 63% six-year graduation rate, with business majors likely landing Florida jobs. Debt at graduation averages $29,276, below the national private college average. Recent WSJ recognition (#478 overall but #158 for student experience) hints at strong career-prep culture, especially for regional employers.
Sticker shock? Not so fast—96% of undergrads receive aid, with $85+ million distributed annually. The average aid package hits $56,068, slashing the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $25,756 for most. Even with a $52,320 listed tuition, scholarships like the Dean's Award (up to $30,000) make Stetson competitive with Florida publics. Use their net price calculator: some pay as little as $14,084 after grants.
Stetson punches above its weight: though lesser-known, it delivers Ivy-level attention (10:1 ratio) at state-school prices post-aid. The 'deceptively high' Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. belies rising standards—each class outshines the last. Between top-ranked student experience, historic DeLand's charm, and Greek life that doesn't overwhelm academics, it's Florida's best-kept secret for students wanting big opportunities on a human scale.
Stetson University logo · sourceStetson Law Campus - Stetson Law · sourceStetson Selected for Southern Living's 'Most Beautiful College Campuses in the South' - Stetson Today · sourceStetson University | DeLand Campus Map · source
