Frostburg State University
Frostburg, Maryland
One University. A World of Experiences.
Frostburg State University is a student-centered institution dedicated to providing transformative experiences as part of students’ educational journey. This foundation launches its graduates to professional success, achieved through not only strong academics and experiential education, but also personal attention from knowledgeable faculty and staff. More than 100 innovative programs are offered at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels at the campus in the beautiful Western Maryland mountains, at other sites around Maryland, and online. From small classes led by excellent professors to prestigious internships, exciting research, and abundant study abroad opportunities, Frostburg offers a quality, affordable education.
Get to know Frostburg State University
Benefits
College Highlights
At FSU, students apply their lessons outside the classroom with internships, undergraduate research, international travel, and other experiential opportunities, many of which lead to jobs and graduate programs. Frostburg State takes pride in offering a broad collection of ways to stay engaged in a changing and complex society.
LEARNING COMMUNITIES
First-year students have a host of programs and resources at their disposal. Learning Communities offer a close-knit group of peers and mentorship opportunities with an experienced professor or staff member. Residential living-learning communities group students into halls that are dedicated to fostering their interest in leadership, wellness, STEM subjects, or community service. And the StrengthsQuest program helps students identify the character strengths that they can use to achieve all kinds of success.
RESEARCH
Budding researchers see their projects through from inception to presentation. Many FSU faculty welcome student researchers to work alongside them or provide time to aid them in their own experiments. And, when they’ve made their conclusions, students can present their findings at a number of regional and international conferences as well as the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.
CAMPUS RESOURCES
Students of the natural sciences—from geography to ethnobotany—make use of the vast resources found in the surrounding Appalachian Mountains. The campus’ close proximity to several state parks, forests, and wildlife-management areas also means that there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer or intern.
SERVICE-LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP
Service-learning and leadership development are hallmarks of the Frostburg State experience. Students can volunteer with Relay for Life, Beautify the ‘Burg, ECHOSTARS, Alternative Spring Break, and many other events and organizations. Leadership opportunities abound, starting with a leadership retreat open to freshmen, and followed by the Sloop Institute for Excellence in Leadership for juniors and the President’s Leadership Circle for seniors.
GRANTS
Frostburg students, faculty, and staff can win grants through the FSU Foundation or through the University itself to support a wide variety of projects and experiences, including national and international conferences, study abroad, and service opportunities away from campus.
CLASS SIZE
The number of sections of each class size.
2-9: 133 | 10-19: 377 | 20-29: 344
30-39: 100 | 40-49: 27 | 50-99: 31 | 100+: 0
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Nonresident aliens: 2%
Hispanic/Latino: 5%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 33%
White, non-Hispanic: 52%
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 2%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 4%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 1%
ACTIVE FACULTY
Students and learning come first at Frostburg State University. FSU faculty are known for their strong teaching skills and dedication to expanding the ways that students can learn. Alumni regularly express their appreciation for the encouragement and attention they received from their teachers—and not just the ones within their majors.
- Every student receives a faculty advisor from within their field of interest who provides regular one-on-one academic counseling, connects them to valuable professional resources, and serves as a mentor even after graduation.
- Professors take a hands-on approach, often welcoming students to participate in their own research projects. Students partnering with faculty on research projects can even travel with their teachers to showcase their work at conferences and get a foot in the door to the professional world.
- Many programs bring in guest speakers and forge partnerships with other universities, putting students in touch with the best faculty in their field regardless of whether they work at FSU.
- FSU’s program and course designs are constantly evolving to answer a real need in the world beyond campus, incorporating new ideas and techniques as they develop.
PROGRAMS
In addition to strong traditional programs, Frostburg State University features a number of unique and distinctive academic majors, including:
- Ethnobotany, the scientific study of the relationship between people and plants.
- Recreation and Parks Management, with concentrations including Adventure Sports and Therapeutic Recreation as well as Adventure Sports Management.
- Environmental programs including Wildlife and Fisheries, Sustainability Studies, Forestry, and Environmental Analysis & Planning.
FACILITIES
With great programs come great resources. FSU keeps its campus up to date so that students can access tools that revolutionize their learning experience. Some of FSU’s highlights include:
- The Gira Center, which includes modern radio and TV studios, a 3D printer for graphic design, a multimedia learning center, and a planetarium with a rooftop observatory. The building’s green roof and other eco-friendly features helped to earn it LEED-Gold status.
- The Compton Science Center, which houses the departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics and Engineering. In addition to the traditional labs, it features labs for anatomy and physiology, robotics, nanotechnology, 3D printers, and a greenhouse. The atrium’s Foucault Pendulum acts as a constant reminder of Earth’s rotation.
- The Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center, which offers three performance spaces as well as ample rehearsal spaces and scene and costume shops.
- The Harold J. Cordts Physical Education, which features an arena, a pool, a fitness center, a dance studio with a sprung floor, an athletic training clinic, and locker rooms for every sport.
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Distance learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
Exchange student program (domestic)
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Frostburg State University encourages its students to explore new horizons with a broad range of programming to support them. With nearly 100 recognized student organizations, a vibrant Greek community, academic honor societies, and a colorful collection of special events, it is never hard to find things to do at Frostburg.
Between classes, students like to hang out in the Lane University Center, the heart of campus activity, which houses a game room, fitness center, lounge, computer lab, and food court. The Cordts Physical Education Center includes cardio and weight rooms, an Olympic-sized pool, a climbing wall, racquetball courts, and an arena. The University also sponsors getaway trips to destinations like New York City, ski resorts, whitewater rafting, museums, and shopping outlets.
EVENTS
The Cultural Events Series, the student-led University Programming Council, academic departments and student organizations bring a wide range of speakers, musicians, comedians, entertainers and thought leaders to campus. Students aren’t just spectators; they’re involved in the event planning themselves and often play a big part in educational outreach.
VOLUNTEER
Volunteerism is a great way for students to get in touch with the community both within and beyond campus. Frostburg students can volunteer with programs like Best Buddies and Alpha Phi Omega or take part in a number of major annual events, such as Relay for Life and Alternative Spring Break.
ARTS ON CAMPUS
Students of the arts can exhibit original artwork in FSU’s Roper Gallery, broadcast themselves over TV or radio with FSU-TV3 or NPR-affiliate WFWM 91.9, and direct and perform in vibrant seasons of music, theatre, and dance.
ATHLETICS
Students can stay active and gain invaluable lessons in personal growth with Frostburg’s 21 NCAA Division II sports teams. In addition, there are a growing number of club and intramural sports to choose from. FSU’s student-athletes are known for maintaining healthy GPAs and volunteering for service projects.
NCAA Division II (2019-20 and beyond, previously Division III), Mountain East Conference, and East Coast Conference (Men’s Lacrosse).
Mascot: Bobcat
Colors: Red and Black
Men’s Intercollegiate Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross-Country, Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field (indoor & outdoor)
Women’s Intercollegiate Sports: Basketball, Cross-Country, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field (indoor & outdoor), Volleyball
Club Teams: Badminton, Golf, Men’s Lacrosse, Men’s & Women’s Rugby, Cheerleading, Women’s Soccer, Wrestling
SCHOOL LOCATION
Frostburg State University is in the beautiful Western Maryland mountains of Frostburg, MD. The campus, just within minutes of the downtown area, is close to a vast landscape for abundant outdoor recreation yet still within a 2- to 2½-hour drive from Baltimore, MD, Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh, PA.
CAMPUS HOUSING
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 97%
Undergraduates: 27%
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Women’s dorms
Apartments for single students
CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
FSU’s diverse and rigorous academic programs give students the intellectual and experiential tools they need to excel as professionals. For students looking to take their education a bit further before graduation, or for any student wondering what to do with their future, the staff at the Career & Professional Development Center are raring to help. The Center helps create a culture on campus that actively supports, educates, and empowers students to make career decisions and gain skills relevant to their future in a rapidly changing, competency-based global workplace. Students can partner with the Center to take on internships, connect with employers, or just learn more to improve their prospects as graduates.
ALUMNI
FSU is proud of its alumni, many of whom are nationally recognized individuals. Just a few among them include:
- Richard Arnold ’85, NASA astronaut to the International Space Station
- Debra Monk ’73, Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress
- Greg Garcia ’92, Emmy Award-winning TV writer and producer of “The Millers,” “Raising Hope,” “My Name is Earl,” and “Yes, Dear” as well as the writer of the new Jimmy Buffett musical, “Margaritaville”
- Tony Zook ’82, CEO of Innocoll and former AstraZeneca EVP of Global Commercial Operations
- Joseph Lambert ’79, CIA Director of Information Management
- The late Capt. James A. Graham ’63, recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor
- The late Dennis Thomas ’65, President Reagan’s Deputy Chief of Staff
- Jeffrey Fegan ’76, retired CEO of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- Jim Riggleman ’74, who has managed Major League baseball teams in Washington, Seattle, San Diego, and Chicago. Currently bench coach for the Cincinnati Reds.
Many of these amazing alumni found something in their time at Frostburg that transformed their lives and focused their direction. Many of them point back to the encouragement and attention they received as well as their faculty’s confidence in their potential. For so many, it was at Frostburg where they discovered and clarified the passion that would guide their lives.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS NETWORK
The Academic Success Network includes a range of programs focused on student success and achievement, such as eight-semester plans of study to help students graduate in four years as well as freshman monitoring, which works to identify and address potential barriers to students’ academic achievement.
EMPLOYMENT RATES
In 2013, 89% of Frostburg graduates had been employed within a year following graduation, while 34% reported that they were pursuing advanced degrees in graduate or professional schools.
Admission
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 470 | 75th Percentile: 570
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 460 | 75th Percentile: 550
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 16 | 75th Percentile: 23
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 16 | 75th Percentile: 23
ACT English
25th Percentile: 15 | 75th Percentile: 22
Tuition & Cost
Tuition (in-state): $6,600
Tuition (out-of-state): $20,320
Fees: $2,572
Room: $4,882
Board: $4,516
What Others are Saying
Contact Frostburg State University
Contact Admissions
frostburg.edu/admissions-and-cost
(301) 687.4201
FSUAdmissions@frostburg.edu
Campus Information
101 Braddock Road
Frostburg, MD 21532
