History, Affiliations and Rankings
Florida Institute of Technology, popularly known as Florida Tech, is Florida’s STEM University. Founded in 1958, when the NASA scientist Jerome P. Keuper expressed his desire to establish a “scientific and technological university” to a friend over drinks at a local pub, the University was established the Brevard Engineering College. What started with only 37 cents of “patronage” for a night school, is today one of the most comprehensive, research-intensive private universities in the United States. Florida Tech is a Tier-1 National University that is rooted in its mission to advance science and technology for the betterment of the Earth and its inhabitants. A member of the space-grant colleges in the United States, the University is academically affiliated with the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida and has athletic affiliation with the Sunshine State Conference. The Times Higher Education ranks Florida Tech in the bracket #800-1000 in its World University Rankings 2022, while it is placed at #684 in US News and World Report Rankings 2022.
Infrastructure, Campuses and Courses
Located in the city of Melbourne on Florida’s “Space Coast,” which is a haven of sunshine and natural beauty, Florida Tech’s campus is a modernized, urban infrastructure, near the Atlantic Ocean. Primarily a STEM University, it offers 200+ Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees, along with Certificates and Associate degree programs in a range of other disciplines such as, Psychology, Communication, Business, and Humanities. The University is academically divided into 5 Colleges, namely, the Nathan Bisk College of Business, College of Psychology & College of Liberal Arts, College of Engineering and Science, College of Aeronautics, and Honors College. Nearly half of the student population of the university is enrolled at the College of Engineering. Courses can be taken on the campus, online or at the Florida Tech’s multiple learning centers throughout Florida, or in Alabama, Virginia and Maryland. .
Accomplishments and Alumni
Florida Institute of Technology ranks #4 out of 22 public and private universities in Florida according to the Wall Street Journal. It is a Top 20 Technical Institute as per the Fiske Guide to Colleges and falls in the Top 65 of the Best Return on Investment Colleges in the US. The 2022 Guide released by the Princeton Review that features 420 Schools demonstrating commitment to Sustainability, also features Florida Tech, which is named as a “Green College.” The Joy and Gordon Patterson Botanical Garden that winds through the heart of the campus was featured in the AAA Florida Tour Guide and contains more than 200 palms, bamboos and other rare specimens. Further, 5 of Florida Tech’s alumni have served as astronauts on Space Shuttles. Florida Tech has an extensive alumni network of over 60,000 graduates who live and work in over 120 countries worldwide. Some of the notable alumni of the University include former NASA Astronauts, Sunitha Williams, Joan Higginbotham, and Kathryn P. Hire and Tim Wakefield (American Baseball Pitcher) and Fahri Diner (Co-founder and CEO of Plume Design).
Student Diversity and Visiting Companies
More than 25,000 students are enrolled at Florida Tech annually. 25% of all students of Florida Institute of Technology come from outside the United States, thus promoting a rich student diversity at campus. Students are known as “Panthers,” and living with Panther Pride is encouraged everywhere on the campus. It is basically a phrase for fueling body and soul, living healthy, having fun and building a community. With 100+ student organizations on the campus, there is always something to do. You can learn, dine, explore, live and interact with peers from different backgrounds and add global perspectives to your classroom education. The University also ensures placement for students who have completed their courses. Some of the top visiting companies are - Merrill Lynch, Bechtel, Delta Airlines, IBM, Google, IBM and Boeing.
