Florida Institute of Technology

Private · Moderately Selective · FL

Photo: GreaterPonce665 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationFL · South

SettingUrban

Undergrads3,404

Student:faculty13:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate47.9%

6-yr grad rate63.5%

Drop-out rate20%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$46k

Out-of-state tuition$46k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity43.9%

Gender diversity33%

International12.3%

Identity—

Overview

Florida Institute of Technology is a private technological university in Melbourne, Florida, on the Space Coast, minutes from Kennedy Space Center and the dense concentration of aerospace employers that surround it. It was founded by scientists working on the early space program, and that heritage still defines its identity and mission.

Academics

Aerospace and ocean engineering are Florida Tech's signature strengths, drawing directly on the Space Coast's employer base, and the university runs its own flight program for aviation students. Marine biology is another notable specialty, benefiting from the university's coastal Florida location. Class sizes stay small, and hands-on research access is emphasized even at the undergraduate level.

Campus & student life

The Melbourne location keeps the campus tied closely to the aerospace and defense industry surrounding it; internships and employer contact with nearby space-sector companies are a normal part of student life rather than a special opportunity. The campus itself is compact, and the warm coastal climate supports a relatively low-key, technically minded student culture.

Getting in

Florida Tech's review favors demonstrated interest and preparation in STEM fields specifically, and its aviation and aerospace programs in particular look for applicants with a clear sense of that career direction already.

After graduation

Graduates place directly into the Space Coast's aerospace and defense employers, as well as national aerospace and engineering firms more broadly, aided by the university's proximity and long-standing industry relationships. The aviation program's own flight training gives graduates a credential path directly into commercial and private aviation careers.

Worth knowing

The flight program is a genuinely distinct offering; students can pursue flight hours and certifications as part of their undergraduate degree, which is worth knowing for a student specifically interested in an aviation career path rather than aerospace engineering alone.

fit.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate57.7%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1120–1320 · ACT 23–28

Test policyrequired

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Verified from the school’s admissions page ↗

Applying