Look Forward: 7 Great Reasons to Attend Florida Tech

Florida Tech was founded in 1958 by Jerome P. Keuper, a visionary physicist working at Cape Canaveral. Keuper sought to create a scientific and technological university to educate the early “missilemen” of the U.S. space program.

And so, he did.

What started as a night school for missilemen is now a comprehensive national research university recognized worldwide for excellence in preparing students for careers of the future.

Today, we carry on Keuper’s legacy, redefining what’s possible, transforming dreams into reality and embarking on the endeavors most pivotal to the future.

Make our origin story yours.

7 Great Reasons to Attend Florida Tech

1. You’ll find your place in the sun.

Florida Tech’s beautiful campus is located in Melbourne, Florida, a gateway to limitless sunshine and infinite space. With its year-round pleasant temperatures, bustling high-tech economy and vibrant arts scene, some call Melbourne “paradise”—we call it “home.”

2. Here, there are no limits.

Whether your ultimate destination is the sky, the sea, space or beyond, a quality education can get you there. We say, “Why wait?” Hands-on coursework and real-world experience are the foundation upon which a Florida Tech education is built.

Want to be a pilot? We’ll get you in an airplane within your first semester. A marine biologist? The most biodiverse estuary on the continent is in our backyard—dive in. An aerospace engineer? Study aircraft design your first year. A journalist? An entrepreneur? A meteorologist? Well, you get the picture.

3. It’s a testing ground for greatness.

While the residence and dining halls, classrooms and libraries make our location a college campus, the labs, state-of-the-art equipment and ingenuity of our students transform it into something more: a testing ground for greatness. Perhaps most notable is the L3Harris Student Design Center, where students collaboratively fabricate projects from unmanned submersibles to Baja SAE racing vehicles.

4. Adventure abounds.

Less than 15 minutes from campus, you can kayak through the Indian River Lagoon, hike several nature trails, surf the waves of the Atlantic Ocean or fish off the coast. With an eclectic downtown and lively community atmosphere, we’ve got the cozy culture of a small town without compromising the convenience or amenities that big cities—like nearby Orlando—have to offer.

5. We’re well rounded.

Florida Tech students crave a challenge. They seek out uncharted territory. They explore.

But even the most ambitious trailblazers need to relax and rejuvenate. Whether for you that means quiet time in your dorm room, meeting new friends in a bustling dining hall or grabbing a coffee at Starbucks, campus has you covered.

Campus living is about getting connected—to peers, to campus resources, to a supportive community that is conducive to an empowering, well-rounded Panther experience.

6. There are ample opportunities outside of the classroom.

At Florida Tech, we are driven. We are adventurous. We are enthusiastic. But with 100-plus student clubs and organizations for interests ranging from theater and music to Greek life, surfing, robots and esports, there’s one thing we will never be: bored.

Also an NCAA Division II school and member of the prestigious Sunshine State Conference, the university is home to several intercollegiate varsity sports teams competing as the Florida Tech Panthers. But here, you don’t need to be a college athlete to stay active. In fact, 60% of undergraduate students participate in one or more of our intramural athletics and club sports, ranging from basketball to Ultimate Frisbee to ice hockey and more.

7. We achieve success—in all its forms.

Success takes many forms: Prizes won. Awards received. Promotions earned. Degrees conferred. But some aren’t so oft-acclaimed or easily measured: Standards held. Paths forged. Obstacles faced. Challenges overcome.

In these forms—resilience, grit, relentless curiosity—success multiplies and prepares you to adapt in an increasingly unpredictable and ever-evolving world. The result: lifelong learning, professional fulfillment and happiness, the ultimate success.