Florida Institute of Technology

“Something I experienced as a student at Florida Tech was a continuous push by my professors to think beyond plugging and chugging numbers into various equations. They taught me to think critically about the effects my work would have on people.” – Shayna Begay B.S. Aerospace Engineering ’10, ’11 M.S.

PROFESSORS WHO CARE ABOUT STUDENT SUCCESS
Outside of Florida Tech, faculty are known for their cutting-edge research and contributions to technology, industry, and society. But on campus, they’re known for being great teachers. They imbue the courses they teach with real-world examples, interdisciplinary projects, and multiple opportunities for students to build in-demand communication skills. Many faculty members involve undergraduates on their research teams, giving them their first taste of advanced scholarship (and even co-authorship). While every professor has their own approach to teaching and mentorship, one thing is for certain: Florida Tech faculty put student success first.

A VIBRANT FIRST- AND SECOND-YEAR EXPERIENCE
Florida Tech extends the typical First-Year Experience into year two, ensuring students have the support and resources they need to succeed in college. The First- and Second-Year Experience (FSYE) provides an instant support system at Florida Tech—a designated advisor, a cohort of peers to bond with, and quick access to a wealth of resources. FSYE starts in the summer before classes begin with a meeting between advisor and student. Here, students understand what they need to take in their first semester, what credits they can transfer, and their first steps for getting started in college. Every student exits FSYE with knowledge of student organizations, service and civic learning opportunities, an understanding of their rights under Title IX, and academic success tips. 

COLLABORATE ON PROJECTS
The workplace is becoming increasingly team-oriented, and Florida Tech is staying ahead of the curve with an innovative team-based learning approach across the curriculum. Well before students reach senior year, they are encouraged to study together and required to work together—in interdisciplinary teams—on virtual and physical design projects, research reports, and presentations. This approach ensures students have the interpersonal communication and presentation skills needed to succeed in their future careers. 

HONORS COLLEGE
Students who are invited to participate in the Honors College take a range of honors courses that offer distinct approaches to the material and require students to explore issues and problems in depth. Such courses are often discussion oriented, rather than lecture based, requiring advanced analysis, synthesis, and understanding of scholarly work. Beyond the classroom, Honors College students expand their studies through lectures, panel discussions, and colloquia with faculty members, alumni, and guest speakers. Honors activities also inspire students to become involved within local and global communities.

SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Accelerated program
Cooperative education program
Cross-registration
Distance learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Independent study
Internships
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program

“I was very shy and awkward when I started college, and I never saw myself joining a sorority, but I’m so glad I did. My sisters are some of my closest friends, and they helped me come out of my shell and always encouraged me to follow my dreams. I would never have had the confidence to move across the world a few months after graduation without them!” – Juliet Gressle, B.S. Marine Biology, ’17

THE FLORIDA TECH VIBE
While the college prefers to let students determine the “Florida Tech vibe” for themselves, there are a few basic truths everyone can count on. In general, campus feels friendly and Floridian (think “flip flops” year round), casual but studious, and equal parts focused and fun. The campus is filled with students engrossed in their major, leading and participating in various organizations, skateboarding to class, strolling through the botanical garden, studying in the library, working in a lab or maker space, and hanging out with friends.

SO MUCH TO DO
At Florida Tech, students can be just as involved and active as they’d like to be. Some students are content to focus on their studies and participate in one or two extracurricular activities. Many are highly involved, participating in multiple activities, such as intramural sports, student government, the student newspaper, and volunteer groups. There are more than 100 academic, cultural, artistic, performance, and interest-based clubs and organizations to choose from.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH SERVICE
Alternative spring breaks to communities hit hard by natural disasters, Habitat for Humanity field trips, fundraising for local charities, and more can contribute to a well-rounded Florida Tech education. Students are encouraged to participate, and the Office of Civic Engagement helps them keep track of their service hours and experiences through an online portal that can be used to bolster their credentials when planning the next step of their professional careers. 

LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Florida Tech’s Living-Learning Communities (LLC) are great for those who like the idea of sharing a residence area with other students who share interests and passions. For example, the Greek Village LLC houses members of fraternities and sororities who focus on leadership development and community building. Others may be academically oriented, like the Women in STEM LLC for female students majoring in science or engineering or the Aviation LLC for those with rigorous flight training schedules.

THE FLORIDA FACTOR
Being in Melbourne on the “Space Coast” of Florida, students find themselves a short drive from the Atlantic Ocean and just 45 minutes from NASA-Kennedy Space Center. As a result, opportunities to study the ocean, marine life, and extreme weather abound—not to mention all the inside looks at the future of astronomy and space exploration. Students can research the effects of hurricanes, the depletion of fish populations, meteorology, astrobiology, rocket science, and more. Other popular local pastimes include surfing, sailing, dolphin spotting, watching rocket launches, and day trips to Orlando for theme park-hopping.

PANTHER ATHLETICS
What’s education without a little competition and school spirit? Florida Tech is a proud NCAA Division II school whose Panthers participate in 20 intercollegiate men’s and women’s varsity sports. 19 of the teams compete in the Sunshine State Conference; Panther Football competes in the Gulf South Conference.

Men’s teams: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Distance Track, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Swimming
Women’s teams: Basketball, Cross Country, Distance Track, Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Volleyball

RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 78%
Undergraduates: 47%

Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Apartments for single students
Fraternity/sorority housing

“When I graduated from Florida Tech nine years ago, I never imagined my career would follow this path—from student, to librarian, and finally to Science Outreach Fellow at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. As it turns out, it was my time at Evans Library that set me on this trajectory. As a librarian, I helped students find, access and evaluate information. Now I’m putting my information literacy skills to use on the other side of that process, working with biologists at the SeaLife Center to create an outreach site for the Pacific sleeper shark research project.” – Philina Richardson, B.S. Marine Biology, ’09

STUDENT DESIGN AND SCHOLARLY INQUIRY
Every Florida Tech student finishes their college experience with an immersive capstone experience. For some, it takes the form of an experience-building practicum, creative project, field study, or self-directed scholarly inquiry. Seniors in science and mathematics conduct multi-semester research studies. Seniors in engineering and computing form interdisciplinary teams to create a design project inspired by a real-world problem or opportunity. STEM students then present their projects at the annual “Northrop Grumman Engineering and Science Student Design Showcase,” where they are judged by industry leaders. 

INTERNSHIPS AND COOPERATIVE LEARNING
Students at Florida Tech apply everything they’ve learned in class to real-world work through internships and cooperative education. Taking an internship is a great opportunity for anyone to learn more about their career options and strengthen their skills. Finding an internship is easy with the help of a faculty mentor or the university’s well-connected career services office. Also available is the ProTrack Co-op program, which gives students work experience, academic credit, and a paycheck. 

ACCELERATE YOUR FUTURE
One of the unique benefits of a university like Florida Tech is that, in addition many undergraduate majors, there is also a broad selection of master’s degree programs that students can start right after they graduate—or before, if they so choose. Through Florida Tech’s Fast Track program, ambitious students can take graduate-level courses to meet undergraduate requirements. What does this mean? Anyone can be six credits deep into their master’s degree upon graduation, which allows them to earn their master’s in as little as one additional academic year of full-time study. 

Admission

ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Academic GPA | Standardized test scores

Important
Level of applicant’s interest

Considered
Class rank | Application Essay | Recommendation(s)
Interview | Extracurricular activities | Character/personal qualities
Alumni/ae relation | Work experience

TEST SCORES
Required

FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 560 | 75th Percentile: 660
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 570 | 75th Percentile: 670
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 23 | 75th Percentile: 30
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 23 | 75th Percentile: 29
ACT English
25th Percentile: 22 | 75th Percentile: 30

APPLICATION INFORMATION
Florida Tech’s admissions team welcomes applications from students who are passionate about their major and have a strong desire to make a difference in the world. Admission is offered to students who have completed a strong high school curriculum and demonstrated, through their application materials, a likelihood to succeed at Florida Tech. Florida Tech does not specify a minimum required grade point average, class rank, or standardized test score, but these elements are duly evaluated for admission and merit scholarship consideration. Highly qualified students may be offered merit scholarships that cover up to 50% of tuition.

Students may apply via the university’s application or the Common Application. Florida Tech has a “rolling admissions” process, which means students are welcome to apply anytime as there are no hard deadlines. The university does, however, honor “national decision day” and asks that admitted students confirm enrollment and make their tuition deposits by that date. There is no fee to apply for undergraduate admission.

Tuition & Cost

Tuition: $42,346
Fees: $900
Room: $7,200
Board: $5,980