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Stetson University
DeLand, FL, USA
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The Stetson University campus features a harmonious blend of Mediterranean and Spanish architectural styles, with ornate details on historic buildings complemented by gorgeous palm trees and flowering plants that thrive in the Florida sunshine. The intimate campus layout allows students to easily walk between classes, residence halls, and recreational facilities, with outdoor spaces designed to take advantage of the warm climate year-round. We invite you to experience the beauty of our campus firsthand by scheduling a tour with our admissions office.
Stetson University competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the ASUN Conference, offering students the opportunity to participate in or cheer for high-level collegiate sports. The Hatters, as Stetson's teams are known, field 18 varsity sports teams including baseball, basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, and golf among others. Athletic facilities at Stetson include the Edmunds Center for basketball and volleyball, Melching Field for baseball, and the Athletic Training Center which provides state-of-the-art equipment and support for student-athletes. Beyond varsity sports, Stetson offers extensive intramural and club sports programs that allow all students to stay active and competitive regardless of skill level. School spirit runs high on campus, with students regularly donning the green and white colors to support their fellow Hatters at sporting events throughout the academic year.
Stetson University is located in DeLand, Florida, in the Southeast region of the United States. The campus is situated in a small city environment, offering students the charm of a close-knit community while still being accessible to larger metropolitan areas like Orlando, which is about 35 miles away. Stetson's beautiful 175-acre main campus is known for its stately red-brick buildings, majestic oak trees draped with Spanish moss, and lush landscaping that creates a picturesque collegiate atmosphere. The campus seamlessly blends historic architecture, including several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, with modern facilities that support contemporary academic and student life needs. Elizabeth Hall, with its distinctive clock tower, serves as an iconic landmark on campus, while the Palm Court at the center of campus provides a serene gathering space for students to socialize and study outdoors in Florida's pleasant climate.
For the most accurate and up-to-date cost of attendance, please click the link below! Stetson University offers a variety of financial aid options, with approximately 95% of undergraduate students receiving some form of financial assistance. The university provides numerous merit-based scholarships including the Presidential Scholarship, Academic Scholar Awards, and Music Scholarships that recognize students' academic achievements, leadership potential, and artistic talents. Additionally, Stetson offers specialized institutional scholarships such as the J. Ollie Edmunds Scholarship (a prestigious full-ride opportunity), the Bonner Program Scholarship for community service-minded students, and departmental scholarships that support students in specific academic disciplines.
Imagine yourself stepping onto a stage where creativity flourishes and artistic expression knows no bounds at Stetson University! The School of Music, one of the oldest in the country and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, offers comprehensive programs in performance, composition, and music education in state-of-the-art facilities including the McMahan Music Hall. Theatre Arts majors benefit from hands-on experience in the Second Stage Theatre and Stover Theatre, where they participate in multiple productions each year ranging from classical works to contemporary pieces. Visual arts students thrive in the Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center, which houses the university's extensive collection of Oscar Bluemner paintings and provides specialized studios for painting, sculpture, ceramics, and digital arts. Beyond academic programs, students can join performance ensembles including the Symphony Orchestra, Concert Choir, Jazz Ensemble, and various chamber groups, or participate in student-run organizations like Creative Arts Society and Hatter Productions that coordinate campus-wide arts events. The vibrant arts community regularly welcomes visiting artists, musicians, and performers who conduct master classes and workshops, enriching the cultural landscape for both students and the wider community.
Greek life at Stetson University encompasses approximately 30% of the undergraduate student population, offering a balanced social experience through several national fraternities and sororities across multiple councils. The university's Greek organizations emphasize academic excellence, leadership development, community service, and philanthropy, with members consistently achieving higher GPAs than the campus average and contributing thousands of volunteer hours annually. Stetson's Greek Village, located in the heart of campus, provides dedicated housing facilities for fraternity and sorority members, creating tight-knit communities while remaining integrated with the broader student body. Greek organizations host numerous campus traditions including Homecoming festivities, Greek Week competitions, and philanthropic events that enhance the overall Stetson experience for both members and non-members alike.
Stetson University empowers students to gain valuable real-world experience through its comprehensive internship programs coordinated by the Office of Career and Professional Development, which maintains strong partnerships with businesses, non-profits, and government agencies throughout Florida and beyond. Students benefit from dedicated internship courses in nearly every academic department, allowing them to earn academic credit while developing professional skills in their chosen fields. The university's Roland George Investments Program offers a unique opportunity for finance students to manage a real multi-million dollar portfolio, while the Centurion Sales Program provides marketing students with hands-on sales experience through competitions and industry partnerships. Stetson's proximity to Orlando's business hub and the I-4 corridor creates exceptional internship possibilities, with students regularly securing positions at major corporations, legal firms, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and entertainment venues.
Stetson University offers more than 80 rigorous undergraduate majors and minors across its College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business Administration, School of Music, and College of Law, providing students with diverse academic pathways tailored to their interests and career goals. Among its distinctive programs are the nationally-recognized Business School with its emphasis on experiential learning, the renowned Digital Arts program which blends creative expression with cutting-edge technology, and unique interdisciplinary majors like Sustainable Food Systems and Global Development. The university's 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention, with professors who prioritize undergraduate teaching while remaining active in research and creative pursuits, often involving students as collaborators in their scholarly work. For a full list of academic programming, click the link below.
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Stetson University offers robust undergraduate research opportunities through its Undergraduate Research Initiative, which provides funding and mentorship for student projects across all disciplines. Students regularly present their research findings at the annual Stetson Showcase, a campus-wide symposium, as well as at regional and national conferences such as the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. The SURE (Stetson Undergraduate Research Experience) program enables students to conduct paid summer research alongside faculty mentors, tackling projects ranging from analyzing microplastics in local waterways to examining historical texts in the university's extensive archives. Many departments incorporate research experiences directly into their curriculum through senior capstone projects, honors theses, and specialized research courses that prepare students for graduate study or professional careers.
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Stetson University is classified as a small university with approximately 3,100 undergraduate students enrolled across its academic programs. The intentionally limited enrollment creates an intimate learning environment where students develop meaningful connections with peers and professors while still enjoying a diverse campus community with abundant opportunities.
Stetson University boasts more than 100 student organizations ranging from academic societies and professional clubs to cultural groups and special interest communities, ensuring that students can find meaningful ways to connect outside the classroom. The Student Government Association, Hatter Network media group, and Student Activities Board play central roles in campus life, organizing events like Hatter Harvest Festival, Homecoming Week, and Rock the Runway fashion show that have become beloved traditions. Club sports such as rugby, equestrian, and ultimate frisbee complement intramural leagues in flag football, basketball, and volleyball, providing recreational athletes with competitive outlets. The Center for Community Engagement coordinates numerous service organizations that partner with local non-profits, allowing students to make a positive impact in the surrounding community while developing leadership skills.
Stetson University's undergraduate student body reflects a commitment to diversity, with approximately 30% of students identifying as members of underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, including Hispanic/Latino, Black/African American, Asian, and multiracial students. The gender distribution shows a slight majority of female students at around 55%, while male students comprise approximately 45% of the undergraduate population. While many students come from throughout Florida, Stetson attracts students from nearly all 50 states and more than 40 countries, creating a geographically diverse campus community with particularly strong representation from the Northeast and Midwest regions. First-generation college students make up about 25% of the student body, and the university has increasingly focused on creating support systems for these students along with expanded resources for international students and those from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
Stetson University offers a variety of housing options for students, with seven traditional residence halls for first-year students and numerous apartment-style living arrangements for upperclassmen, including the University Village Apartments and Plymouth Apartments. Many of the historic residence halls, such as Chaudoin Hall and Conrad Hall, feature distinctive architectural elements while having been renovated to include modern amenities and comfortable living spaces. The university maintains a four-year residency requirement, though exemptions are available for students living with family nearby or meeting other specific criteria. Stetson's dining services, operated by Chartwells, include the main Lynn Commons dining hall which offers a variety of stations serving everything from international cuisine to comfort food, with vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-free options available at each meal. Additional dining options include the Coffee Shop in the Carlton Union Building, Einstein Bros Bagels in the library, and the Hat Rack convenience store, all of which accept the university's Hatter Bucks declining balance meal plan. The university has recently enhanced its farm-to-table initiatives, sourcing ingredients from local producers and even incorporating produce from Stetson's own organic garden maintained by students in environmental science programs. Dining halls and residence facilities regularly host special events including themed dinners, cooking demonstrations, and community-building activities that contribute to the vibrant campus culture.
Stetson University offers over 80 undergraduate programs of study across its College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business Administration, and School of Music, with popular majors including Business Administration, Psychology, Music, Environmental Science, and Digital Arts. Students are encouraged to explore various disciplines before formally declaring a major by the end of their sophomore year, though they can change their academic path later if their interests evolve. The university's flexible curriculum supports students pursuing double majors or complementary minors, with approximately 35% of students graduating with more than one area of academic focus. Many departments offer distinctive programs like the J.R. Holub Research Fellowship in Chemistry, the Sullivan Creative Writing Program, and the Roland George Investments Program that provide specialized experiences within broader disciplinary frameworks.
Stetson University supports first-generation students and those from low-income backgrounds through its WISE Cohort, which provides holistic support including personalized academic advising, peer mentoring, and targeted workshops designed to enhance college navigation skills and promote a sense of belonging. The WISE program includes financial components such as specialized scholarship packages, textbook assistance, and emergency funding to help alleviate economic barriers that might otherwise impede academic progress. Students in the WISE Cohort benefit from priority registration, dedicated study spaces, and regular community-building events that create a strong support network of peers with similar backgrounds and experiences. Additionally, WISE participants receive specialized career development resources, including subsidized professional attire, networking opportunities with successful first-generation alumni, and guidance on accessing internships and research experiences that help build professional pathways.
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