Florida A&M University

Tallahassee, FL · founded 1887 · 10,000 students · hbcu · Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)

Known for: Florida A&M University (FAMU) is a public historically black university renowned for its excellence in pharmacy, business, and engineering education, and for its legendary 'Marching 100' band.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #202

Top programmes

Pharmacy
Business
Engineering
Journalism
Law
Nursing

Notable alumni

Althea Gibson — Tennis champion, first Black athlete to win Wimbledon
Pam Oliver — Longtime NFL sideline reporter for Fox Sports
Andrew Gillum — Former Mayor of Tallahassee and 2018 Florida gubernatorial candidate
Common — Academy Award-winning rapper and actor
Ricky Polston — Former Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court
Robert L. Johnson — Co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET)
Keisha Lance Bottoms — Former Mayor of Atlanta

Traditions

Homecoming and the 'G' Parade
The 'Marching 100' Band performances
Rattler football games
Set Friday
Founders Day Convocation

If Florida A&M University were…

As a food: Gullah red rice with shrimp — Southern, Afro-diasporic, deeply flavorful, and rooted in tradition that stretches back generations. FAMU is unapologetically Black Southern excellence—nourishing, communal, and seasoned with history.
As an athlete: Deion Sanders — Flashy, supremely confident, a showman who backs it up with substance, and deeply committed to uplifting Black athletes and institutions. FAMU has swagger, tradition, and produces winners who rep their roots loudly.
As a person alive today: Common — Conscious, community-oriented, rooted in Black cultural pride but accessible and collaborative. FAMU blends tradition with forward momentum, producing leaders who honor the past while building the future.
As a historical figure: Mary McLeod Bethune — Visionary educator and institution-builder who created pathways for Black excellence in the South. FAMU shares that legacy of opening doors through education, service, and relentless determination.
As a movie or TV show: Drumline — Marching band culture, HBCU pride, competitive spirit, and the electricity of homecoming rolled into one. FAMU's Marching 100 is legendary, and the campus vibe is pure pageantry and passion.
As a US president: Barack Obama — Charismatic, historically significant, a symbol of Black achievement and aspiration. FAMU carries itself with that same sense of pride, excellence, and cultural importance.
As a city: Atlanta — Black cultural capital of the South, where tradition meets hustle, and everyone knows someone who knows someone. FAMU is the Tallahassee anchor of that same HBCU network and Southern Black professional class.
As an element: Gold — Precious, historically valued, and a symbol of achievement and status. FAMU sees itself as royalty among HBCUs—storied, proud, and worth its weight in legacy.
As a car: 1972 Cadillac Coupe DeVille — FAMU carries HBCU royalty with Rattler pride—the classic Cadillac that's all about tradition, community presence, and rolling deep with style. It's historically Black excellence, homecoming-ready, and unapologetically sp

Campus life

FAMU offers a vibrant, close-knit campus life centered on its strong HBCU traditions, Greek life, and student organizations. The social scene is active, with a major highlight being the performances and spirit of the world-famous 'Marching 100' band at football games and events.