Florida Institute of Technology - The Princeton Review College Rankings & Reviews (2024)

About

From the School

Florida Tech got its start in 1958 as a graduate school offering the scientists and engineers of the early U.S. space program advanced degrees in technology and engineering. Today, Florida Tech is a comprehensive tier one national research university offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in aeronautics, business, computing, communications, education, engineering, mathematics, psychology, and science.

The university is unique in that it provides the resources of a national scientific and technological research university as well as the robust, personalized learning experiences of a small college. Ranked a Tier One Best National University by U.S. News & World Report, Florida Tech is also the only independent technological university in the Southeast U.S. As such, Florida Tech attracts high-achieving students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries worldwide.

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Address

Admission Office
150 W. University Blvd.
Melbourne, FL 32901

Phone

800-888-4348

Email

admission@fit.edu


Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus

Clemente Center for Sports & Recreation
Panther Dining Hall
Botanical Gardens
Evans Library
Rathskeller

Most Popular Places Off Campus

Melbourne Beaches
Kennedy Space Center
Downtown Melbourne
Walt Disney World & Resorts
Sebastian Inlet


Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center

Monday-Friday

8:30am-5pm

800-888-4348

Campus Tours

Appointment Required: Yes

Dates: Year-round

Times: Mon-Fri 10am and 2 pm

Average Length: Varies


On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews

Yes

Information Sessions

Available

Times

Once a month


Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available

Academic Year

Arrangements

Contact Admissions Office

Advance Notice

2 weeks

Contact Email Address for Visit

admission@fit.edu


Class Visits

Dates/Times Available

Academic Year

Arrangements

Contact Admissions Office


Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays

Not Available

Limitations

N/A


Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus

Melbourne International Airport is about 2 miles from campus. Taxis are available at the airport. Uber also operates in Melbourne.

Driving Instructions to Campus

Please note - many online mapping tools will not get you directly to the Florida Tech campus unless you use our physical address .The GPS address for the Florida Tech Harris Commons Building-, starting point for a campus visit, 3011 Babco*ck Street, Melbourne, FL 32901 and the main Florida Tech campus address is, 150 West University Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901. FROM I-95 HEADING SOUTH: 1. Exit 180 – Turn left (East) on W New Haven Ave (Route 192). 2. Right (South) on Babco*ck Street. 3. Left (East) on University Boulevard, Our office is located on the corner of Babco*ck and University Blvd. (opposite side of the street from the Mobil gas station). 4. The first entrance on the right will lead you to the Florida Tech, Harris Commons Building, visitor parking spaces are located at the front of the building, on the west side near Babco*ck Street. FROM I-95 HEADING NORTH: 1. Exit 176 – Turn right (East) on Palm Bay Road. 2. Left (North) on Babco*ck Street. 3. Right (East) on University Boulevard, Our office is located on the corner of Babco*ck and University Blvd. (opposite side of the street from the Mobil gas station). 4. The first entrance on the right will lead you to the Harris Commons Building, visitor parking spaces are located at the front of the building, on the west side near Babco*ck Street.

Local Accommodations

All of these hotels are located within minutes of the Florida Tech campus and offer special room rates for our visitors. Discounted reservations must be made directly with the hotels by calling their local telephone numbers. Be sure to mention you are “Visiting Florida Tech."Beachside Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront 877-227-6963 or 321-777-4100 Doubletree Guest Suites Melbourne Beach Oceanfront 800-333-TREE or 321-723-4222 Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront 800-HILTONS or 321-777-5000 Port d’Hiver Bed & Breakfast 866.621.7678 or 321-722-2727 The Windemere Inn by the Sea 800-224-6853 or 321-728-9334 Radisson Suite Hotel Oceanfront 800-333-3333 or 321-773-9260

Save School

  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Student Body
  • Campus Life
  • Careers

Admissions

  • Overall
  • Overview
  • Testing Policies
  • Other Admission Factors
  • Selectivity Rating

Admissions

Overall

From The School

Students who wish to study at Florida Tech must demonstrate the readiness to succeed in a challenging academic program. A strong curriculum, as reflected by the student's high school transcript, is the most important element of the application. Florida Tech recommends that science and engineering applicants take the most rigorous mathematics and science curriculum offered by the high school. Applicants for aeronautics, business, psychology and liberal arts majors must complete at least three years of mathematics and science. A fourth year of each is highly recommended. To be considered for generous merit scholarships of up to half the cost of tuition, prospective students need only submit an application. Scholarships will be awarded based on a student's GPA, standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) and class rank.


Overview

Applicants:9,313

Acceptance Rate:65%

Average HS GPA:3.67


SAT & ACT Test Scores

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)

570 - 660

SAT Math

25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)

580 - 680

ACT Composite Scores

25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)

25 - 30


Testing Policies

Superscore ACT

Yes

Superscore SAT

Yes

Standardized testing policy for use in admission

Requires applicants to submit either the SAT or ACT


Other Admission Factors

Academic

Rigor of Secondary School Record

Academic GPA

Standardized Test Scores


Selectivity Rating

Admissions selectivity rating

84/99


Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.

Learn More


Academics

  • Overall
  • Faculty and Class Information
  • Graduation Rates
  • Majors
  • Degrees
  • Career Services
  • Prominent Alumni

Academics

Overall

From The School


Academic Programs

If there's anything that sets Florida Tech apart from other colleges and universities, it's the university's hands-on, dive-in, buckle-up approach to higher education. No matter a student's major, enrolling at Florida Tech means learning by doing. From swimming with sea turtles to flying planes, building rocket engines to fighting simulated cyber-attacks, Florida Tech students are engaged in interesting fieldwork and projects starting day one. Employers that recruit at Florida Tech report our graduates stand out because they have professional-level skills with real world technologies because they've been using them all throughout their college experience.

Majors and Degrees Offered

Academically, Florida Tech is challenging. More than half of classes have fewer than 20 students and the majority are taught by full professors. All majors include hands-on projects and capstone requirements, ensuring that every graduate leaves with experience in scholarly research or practical, hands-on work experience. The most popular undergraduate programs at Florida Tech are aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, marine biology, physics and space sciences. The university also draws students from around the world for its unique programs in aeronautics and aviation, business, biomedical engineering, sustainability studies, psychology, applied behavior analysis, human-centered design, cybersecurity, meteorology, ocean engineering, aquaculture, and chemistry.


Faculty and Class Information

Student/Faculty

14:1

Total Faculty

505

with Terminal Degree

397

139

Women

105

Minority

22

International

Most frequent class size

20 - 29

Most frequent lab / sub section size

10 - 19


Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years

41%

Graduate in 5 years

58%

Graduate in 6 years

60%


Majors

  • AGRICULTURE, AGRICULTURE OPERATIONS, AND RELATED SCIENCES.

  • Aquaculture.
  • BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.

  • Biochemistry.
  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
  • Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other.
  • Genome Sciences/Genomics.
  • Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography.
  • BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.

  • Accounting and Business/Management.
  • Accounting.
  • Business Administration and Management, General.
  • Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other.
  • Finance, General.
  • Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General.
  • International Business/Trade/Commerce.
  • Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management.
  • Management Information Systems, General.
  • Marketing/Marketing Management, General.
  • Organizational Leadership.
  • Project Management.
  • Small Business Administration/Management.
  • COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.

  • Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other.
  • Journalism, Other.
  • Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.
  • COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

  • Computer Science.
  • Information Science/Studies.
  • ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES AND ENGINEERING-RELATED FIELDS.

  • Engineering/Industrial Management.
  • ENGINEERING.

  • Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering.
  • Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
  • Chemical Engineering.
  • Civil Engineering, General.
  • Computer Engineering, General.
  • Computer Software Engineering.
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering
  • Engineering, General.
  • Engineering, Other.
  • Mechanical Engineering.
  • Ocean Engineering.
  • LEGAL PROFESSIONS AND STUDIES.

  • Pre-Law Studies.
  • LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.

  • Humanities/Humanistic Studies.
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
  • MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.

  • Applied Mathematics, General.
  • Mathematics, General.
  • MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.

  • Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
  • NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.

  • Environmental Science.
  • Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management.
  • PARKS, RECREATION, LEISURE, AND FITNESS STUDIES.

  • Sport and Fitness Administration/Management.
  • PHYSICAL SCIENCES.

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics, Other.
  • Chemistry, General.
  • Chemistry, Other.
  • Meteorology.
  • Oceanography, Chemical and Physical.
  • Physics, General.
  • Physics, Other.
  • Planetary Astronomy and Science.
  • PSYCHOLOGY.

  • Applied Behavior Analysis.
  • Applied Psychology.
  • Forensic Psychology.
  • Psychology, General.
  • TRANSPORTATION AND MATERIALS MOVING.

  • Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General.
  • Air Transportation, Other.
  • Aviation/Airway Management and Operations.

Degrees

Bachelor's
Certificate
Doctoral
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Master's certificate


Career Services

On-Campus Job Interviews Available

Yes

Career Services

Alumni Services

Classes

Internships

Regional Alumni

Opportunities at School

Coop

Experiential

Internship


Notable Faculty


Prominent Alumni

Jorge Mesquita

Executive Vice President and Worldwide Chairman for Johnson & Johnson

Ret. Gen. Ann Dunwoody

Retired Four-Star General and former Commanding General of the U.S. Material Command. First female four-star general.

Tom Folliard

Former CEO and current Chairman of the Board, Carmax. Inc.

Svafa Gronfeldt

Former President of Reykjavik University and current Chair of SA+P DesignX, an innovation accelerator at MIT

Captain Sunita Williams

Astronaut

Elizabeth Webbe Lunny

Vice President Media and Publisher T Magazine, The New York Times

Vik Verma

CEO 8x8

Careers

  • Graduation Rates
  • Career Services

Careers

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years

41%

Graduate in 5 years

58%

Graduate in 6 years

60%


Career Services

On-Campus Job Interviews Available

Yes

Career Services

Alumni Services

Classes

Internships

Regional Alumni

Opportunities at School

Coop

Experiential

Internship


ROI & Outcomes

Tuition & Aid

  • Overview
  • Dates
  • Required Forms
  • Available Aid
  • Financial Aid Statistics
  • Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition & Aid

Overview

From The School


Tuition, Room, Board and Fees

Tuition for full-time undergraduate students (12–19) varies according to the chosen major program of study; it is a flat-rate for full-time, on-campus students, and charged on a semester basis. There is no difference in tuition based on a student's state or country of residence.

Financial Aid

The mission of the Office of Financial Aid at Florida Tech is to enable student success by assisting families in identifying and securing sources of financial aid. We want students' focus to be on their academic passion, personal growth and career interests, not complicated paperwork and their bank account. To that end, we focus on:

  • Helping to ensure that you are awarded the best possible financial aid package.
  • Keeping you informed about critical financial aid policies, processes, and opportunities.
  • Expertly guiding you through the financial aid application and enrollment process.

Florida Tech is proud to be able to make substantial contributions, in the form of need-based grants and merit-based scholarships, to offset our students' costs. As a result, the majority of our students find that the net cost of their Florida Tech education is far less than the published tuition—and in many cases, over 50% less.

All students who submit complete applications for admission are evaluated for merit scholarship eligibility. To be eligible for need-based grants and federal assistance, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid using Florida Tech's School Code: 001469.


Dates

Application Deadlines

Notification Date

Dec 15


Required Forms

FAFSA
State Aid


Financial Aid Statistics

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid

$28,591

Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid

$27,526

Average Need-Based Loan

$3,827

Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program

41%

Average amount of loan debt per graduate

$33,511

Financial aid provided to international students

Yes


Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition

$41,100

Required Fees

$750

Average Cost for Books and Supplies

$1,200

Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study

No

Board for Commuters

$1,800

Transportation for Commuters

$2,520


Available Aid

Financial Aid Methodology

Federal

Scholarships and Grants


Need-Based

Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds

Need-Based Federal Pell

Need-Based Private Scholarships

Need-Based SEOG

Need-Based State Scholarships


Non-Need-Based

Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available

Federal Direct Student Loan Programs

Direct PLUS Loans

Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans

Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)

Federal Perkins Loans

Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)

Yes

Direct Lender

No

Student Body

  • Student Body Profile
  • Demographics

Student Body

Overall

From The School

The on-campus student population comprises more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students, of which 69% are male and 31% are female. Florida Tech's commitment to serving an international community is strong; approximately 30% of Melbourne campus undergraduates and 49% of campus graduate students come from countries outside of the U.S., including China, India, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Jamaica, Japan, Nigeria, South Korea and Ireland. Another benefit of studying at Florida Tech is the university's low student-to-faculty ratio, which allows Florida Tech to keep its average class size low, around 20 students, and enables greater interaction and enhanced learning among students and professors.

There are more than 100 student-led clubs and organizations at Florida Tech. They range from student government to theater and music ensembles, from Greek life to sci-fi and gaming groups, from cultural organizations to campus media and arts groups. Almost every major program has an associated academic organization or honor society. Club sports are popular, as are intramurals.


Student Body Profile

Total Undergraduate Enrollment

3,680

Foreign Countries Represented

108


Demographics

2.40%

Asian

6.01%

Black

9.26%

Hispanic

49.43%

Caucasian

28.20%

International

29% female

71% male

52% are out of state

89% are full time

11% are part time

Campus Life

  • Campus Life
  • Housing Options
  • Sports
  • Student Activities
  • Special Needs Admissions
  • Student Services
  • Sustainability
  • Campus Security Report
  • Other Information

Campus Life

Overview

From The School


Location

Florida Tech's location is hard to beat when it comes to fun and opportunity. Campus spans 130 acres in the town of Melbourne, Florida, just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and one hour east of Orlando. The area is one of the most concentrated high-tech economies in the state and home to one of the largest high-tech workforces in the nation. Melbourne's attractive business climate is matched only by its natural resources, including the Atlantic Ocean and Indian River Lagoon, ideal for scientific study and environmental research. Orlando tourist attractions and the Kennedy Space Center are within an hour drive; Miami is only 3 hours south. The climate is generally sunny and temperate; the average daily temperature is 76°F/24°C.

Campus Facilities & Equipment

Florida Tech is full of surprises. Take a walking tour of campus and you discover more than classrooms and laboratories. The university's Evans Library, for example, contains more than volumes of scientific knowledge and research resources. It also houses the Digital Scholarship Laboratory, an oasis of innovation, creativity and hands-on learning providing services such as 3-D printing, data analysis and visualization and media production. On the other side of campus, students take advantage of a fully operational machine shop, and adjacent to that, the Harris Student Design Center, an 11,500-square-foot student project facility. Made possible by a $1 million gift from Harris Corporation, it serves engineering and science students completing capstone design projects. The space includes a spray booth, welding stations, 2.5 ton overhead crane, electronics rooms and a conference room for team planning and idea development. Florida Tech is also home to the Scott Center for Autism Treatment, the Indian River Lagoon Research Institute, and the Aldrin Space Institute. Located not far from campus proper, students will find Florida Tech's Applied Research Laboratory, it's Research and Development Center (headquarters of jet dragster company Larsen Motorsports), and the university's flight training operations, F.I.T. Aviation, located at the nearby Orlando Melbourne International Airport.

Off-Campus Opportunities

Florida Tech students take full advantage of Florida weather and the campus's proximity to the beach, enjoying ample fun-in-the-sun activities such as sailing, biking and swimming. Beyond the beach, students venture off-campus to enjoy the eclectic, dynamic vibe of historic downtown Melbourne. Minutes from campus, this local main street is filled with shops, restaurants, clubs and pubs, and plays host to a variety of annual celebrations, including Florida Tech's widely anticipated free concert, Homecoming Fest. Of course, there's more to Melbourne than recreation. Florida Tech is surrounded by high-tech aerospace, cybersecurity and engineering companies that provide students with ample internship and future career opportunities.


Campus Life

Undergrads living on campus

47%

Help finding off-campus housing

Yes

First-Year Students living on campus

78%

Campus Environment

Small Urban

Fire safety rating

93/99


Housing Options

Apartment Single

Dorms Coed

Frat Sorority


Special Needs Admissions

Program / Service Name

Office of Disability Services

Type of Program

For all students with disabilities

Director

Dr. Robyn Tapley

College Entrance Tests Required

No

Interview Required

No

Documentation Required for LD

None

Documentation Required for ADHD

None


Special Need Services Offered

Calculator allowed in exams

Yes

Dictionary allowed in exams

No

Computer allowed in exams

Yes

Spellchecker allowed in exams

Yes

Extended test time

Yes

Scribes

Yes

Proctors

Yes

Oral exams

2

Notetakers

Yes

Distraction-free environment

Yes

Accommodation for students with ADHD

Yes

Reading machine

Yes

Other assistive technology

Yes


Student Activities

Registered Student Organizations

139

Number of Honor Societies

9

Number of Social Sororities

3

Number of Religious Organizations

4

4% join a fraternity

3% join a sorority


Sports

Athletic Division

Division II

8% participate in intramural sports

15% participate in intercollegiate sports

Men's Sports (Panthers)

10 Sports


Baseball
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming
Track Field Outdoor

Women's Sports (Panthers)

9 Sports


Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball


Student Services

Health

LGBT Support Groups: The purpose of Spectrum is to provide support for LGBT+ Students with additional support from Allies, so that members can have a positive experience at Florida Tech.orgsync.com/7433/chapter

Minority Support Groups: -International Student Associations for various countries and geographic regions- Black Student Union-Society of Women Engineers (SWE)-Women in Aviation (WAI)-National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)-Society of Hispanic Professional -Engineers Florida Tech Student Chapter (SHPE Florida Tech Student Chapter)

Army ROTC Offered on-campus


Sustainability

Green rating

92/99

AASHE STARS® rating

Silver

School Has Formal Sustainability Committee

Yes

Sustainability-focused degree available

Yes

School employs a sustainability officer

Yes

Public GHG inventory plan

Yes

Available Transportation Alternatives


Bike Share

Yes

Carpool/Vanpool Matching Program

Yes

Condensed Work Week Option For Employees

Yes

Free Or Reduced Price Transit Passes And/Or Free Campus Shuttle

Yes

Indoor And Secure Bike Storage, Shower Facilities, And Lockers For Bicycle Commuters

Yes

Reduced Parking Fees For Car And Van Poolers

Yes

School Developed Bicycle Plan

Yes

School Offers A Telecommute Program For Employees

Yes

Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS®, as of March, 2023.

Campus Security Report

Campus Security Report

The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.

Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety

The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/


Other Information

Campus-wide Internet Network

Yes

% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet

100

Fee for Network Use

No

Partnerships with Technology Companies

Yes

Personal computer included in tuition for each student

No

Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors

Yes

Description

Apple, DELL, HP, Gateway

Save School

Connect with SchoolConnect with School

Articles & Advice


Find Colleges Matched to Your Interests
Crafting an Unforgettable College Essay
What is a Good SAT Score?
What is a Good ACT Score?
Top 10 College Majors
Florida Institute of Technology - The Princeton Review College Rankings & Reviews (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Twana Towne Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5513

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Twana Towne Ret

Birthday: 1994-03-19

Address: Apt. 990 97439 Corwin Motorway, Port Eliseoburgh, NM 99144-2618

Phone: +5958753152963

Job: National Specialist

Hobby: Kayaking, Photography, Skydiving, Embroidery, Leather crafting, Orienteering, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Twana Towne Ret, I am a famous, talented, joyous, perfect, powerful, inquisitive, lovely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.