Florida Tech was founded in 1958 as "Brevard Engineering College." It all started as an idea in the mind of Jerome P. Keuper, a visionary physicist working at Cape Canaveral.
As university lore would have it, Keuper expressed his desire to create a scientific and technological university to a friend over drinks at a local pub. Overhearing the conversation, a fellow patron pushed 37 cents in change across the bar and said, “There’s your first donation, Jerry. Now, go and build that college.”
So, Keuper did. And what started with 37 cents as a night school for the early “missilemen” of the U.S. space program is now a comprehensive national research university recognized worldwide for excellence in preparing students for careers of the future.
Florida Institute of Technology’s mission is to provide high-quality education to a culturally diverse student body in order to prepare students for entering the global workforce, seeking higher-education opportunities, and serving within their communities. The university also seeks to expand knowledge through basic and applied research and to serve the diverse economic, cultural, and societal needs of our local, state, national and international constituencies.
In support of this mission, we are committed to:
What we are is a private, coeducational, residential, research-intensive, doctoral-granting university located in Melbourne on Florida’s sunny “Space Coast.” But who we are is so much more. We are a community of researchers, scholars, and learners hailing from all around the world. We are engineers, aviators, innovators, leaders, educators, athletes, and astronauts. We have the brains of rocket scientists and the hearts of Panthers. We are Florida Tech.
Florida Tech is a university of leaders and learners—a diverse community of students, staff, faculty, and alumni who are united in the relentless pursuit of greatness.
Students from more than 90 countries worldwide choose to live and learn at Florida Tech, making us a truly global university. When we say you are welcome here, we mean it.
One of the primary tenets of Florida Tech’s mission is advancing science and technology for the benefit of Earth and all of its inhabitants. So, that’s what we do.
You may feel it the first time you visit the campus, the day you graduate, or at some point in between. But when you do, you’ll see that Panther Pride is more than school spirit. It’s a family.
Florida Tech is proud to be part of the Brevard County community and welcomes its neighbors to explore the many personal, professional, corporate, and cultural opportunities we have to offer.
There's a reason Florida Tech is known as Florida's STEM University™. To put it simply: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are in our DNA. This makes STEM a driving force behind who we are, what we do, and why we exist.
What's it like to live and learn at Florida Tech? While the answer differs for every student, there are a few things we all pretty much agree on. The people are friendly, open-minded and passionate about their work. For an idea of the place, think "top engineering school meets top vacation spot." We're equal parts innovation and sunshine. Florida Tech offers a comprehensive residential college experience, meaning that campus is a place to live, learn, dine, play, explore and grow. From university-wide events and community activities to service opportunities and more than 100 student organizations, there's always something to do.
Choose Florida Tech to dive deep into the subject that inspires you, get hands-on experience in preparation for the career of your dreams, and build relationships that last a lifetime. Our students have the brains of rocket scientists and the hearts of Panthers. Will you be one of them?
Florida Tech’s innovative, hands-on programs attract students from across the world. As the U.S. university with the eighth highest percentage of international students and with over 80 countries represented on our campus, we know what it takes to help our international students thrive. From a campus-wide emphasis on cultural competence to featuring global cuisine in the Panther Dining Hall, Florida Tech celebrates our international students and the value they bring to our community.
What is Florida Tech willing to invest in your education? More than you may know. University aid comes in the form of merit-based academic Scholarships, Florida Tech Family Grants, and Need-Based Grants.
Private education is an investment in your future, and with the many financial aid options available to college students today, affording it is likely easier than you’d think.
Florida Tech is a global research university, ranked as a Tier One Best National University by U.S. News and World Report. Surrounded by companies and organizations like SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, Harris Corporation, Boeing, and NASA, Florida Tech knows the importance of hands-on experience, cutting-edge research, and high-tech innovation.
Our graduates often go on to work full-time for these global companies, putting their expertise to use as computer scientists, ocean engineers, aeronautical engineers, astrobiologists, and physicists, just to name a few career paths.
Florida Tech students work hard and play hard too. This beachside community boasts over 300 days of sunshine. Here, you can study where the rest of the world vacations.
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