Florida Tech vs Liberty University

Florida Institute of Technology and Liberty University, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to their students. Florida Tech, a private university in Melbourne, Florida, boasts a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, while Liberty University, a private Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia, emphasizes a faith-based education. With acceptance rates of 65% and 98%, respectively, these universities cater to different applicant pools. Florida Tech's student body is more diverse, with international students comprising 15% of the population, compared to Liberty University's 3%. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision.

	Florida Institute of Technology	Liberty University
Overview
Location	Melbourne, Florida	Lynchburg, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	82.0%	79.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation		Evangelical

Admission
Acceptance rate	65.9%	99.3%
Application fees	$50	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1140 - 1340	N/A
ACT range	24 - 30	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	68.0%
Students submitting ACT score	30.0%
Total number of applicants	10,650	28,448
Total number of admissions given out	7,016	28,244
Admitted students who chose to enroll	756	5,461
Yield rate	10.8%	19.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$61,442	$42,620
Average net price	$32,314	$27,891
Tuition	$42,346	$21,663
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,416 Meal plan: $5,980	Room/dormitory: $6,150 Meal plan: $4,560
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $25,807	89.0% Average amount $12,431
Students receiving federal student loan	48.0% Average amount $5,481	52.0% Average amount $5,619
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $24,026	9.0% Average amount $17,351

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,491 Men 69.4% Women 30.6%	47,696 Men 43.0% Women 57.0%
Graduate students	4,339 Men 35.7% Women 64.3%	47,013 Men 38.7% Women 61.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	54.8%	76.0%
International students	19.3%	0.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	2,017	8,222
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Florida New York New Jersey Maryland Pennsylvania	Virginia North Carolina Pennsylvania Texas Florida

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Psychology Business Transportation and Logistics Computer and Information Science	Education Business Health Professions Psychology Theology
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	66.3%	62.1%
Dropout rate	32.8%	30.2%
Transferred out	N/A	5.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,395 Year 2: $67,660 Year 3: $85,054 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,500 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $83,998 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,306 Year 2: $75,787 Year 3: $81,479 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,475 Year 2: $67,324 Year 3: $80,057 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,264 Year 2: $65,557 Year 3: $79,253 Air Transportation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $61,064 Year 3: $77,183 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,682 Year 2: $65,486 Year 3: $76,785 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,184 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $74,804 Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,992 Year 2: $63,997 Year 3: $73,267 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $67,647 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $71,506	Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,316 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $91,964 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,385 Year 2: $80,964 Year 3: $87,831 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,657 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $77,205 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,410 Year 2: $72,022 Year 3: $73,900 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,556 Year 2: $51,106 Year 3: $65,313 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,731 Year 2: $62,936 Year 3: $64,580 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,576 Year 2: $57,705 Year 3: $62,807 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,423 Year 2: $57,714 Year 3: $62,225 Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $40,885 Year 2: $56,415 Year 3: $62,169 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $58,240 Year 2: $59,895 Year 3: $61,052

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main academic focuses of Florida Tech and Liberty University?

Florida Tech excels in STEM fields, particularly engineering, science, and technology. They offer a strong, hands-on approach to these disciplines. Liberty University, on the other hand, provides a broader range of programs, with a significant emphasis on religious studies, business, and online education. While Liberty also offers STEM programs, its core strength lies in its diverse offerings and integration of Christian values into its curriculum.
How do the campus environments differ between Florida Tech and Liberty University?

Florida Tech has a smaller, more intimate campus located in Melbourne, Florida, near the Space Coast. This provides a close-knit community feel and easy access to internships and research opportunities in the aerospace and technology industries. Liberty University boasts a much larger campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, offering a more traditional, comprehensive university experience with extensive facilities and a vibrant student life. Liberty's campus is more self-contained and offers a wider array of on-campus activities.
What is the religious affiliation of each university, and how does it impact campus life?

Florida Tech is a non-sectarian, independent university, meaning it is not affiliated with any religious organization. Students of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome, and religion does not play a central role in campus life. Liberty University is a Christian university, and its mission is to develop Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for impacting the world. Christian values are integrated into the curriculum, and chapel attendance is encouraged.
How do the tuition costs and financial aid opportunities compare between Florida Tech and Liberty University?

Generally, Florida Tech tends to have a higher tuition cost compared to Liberty University. However, both institutions offer various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans. It's crucial to explore the specific financial aid packages offered by each university based on your individual circumstances and academic qualifications. Contacting the financial aid offices directly is the best way to get personalized information.
What types of student activities and extracurriculars are available at each university?

Florida Tech offers a range of student activities, including clubs focused on STEM, Greek life, sports, and various academic interests. Its location near the Space Coast also provides unique opportunities for outdoor activities. Liberty University has a much broader selection of extracurricular activities due to its larger size, including a wide variety of clubs, sports teams (including NCAA Division I athletics), performing arts groups, and religious organizations. Liberty's student life is very active and diverse.
How do the career services and internship opportunities differ between Florida Tech and Liberty University?

Florida Tech's career services are particularly strong in connecting students with internships and job opportunities in the STEM fields, especially within the aerospace and technology industries along the Space Coast. Liberty University's career services offer a broader range of resources, catering to students in various fields, including business, ministry, and education. Both universities provide career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs to help students prepare for their future careers.
What is the typical student-to-faculty ratio at Florida Tech and Liberty University?

Florida Tech generally has a lower student-to-faculty ratio, which allows for more personalized attention and interaction with professors. Liberty University, due to its larger size, typically has a higher student-to-faculty ratio. However, Liberty also utilizes various teaching methods and resources to ensure students receive adequate support and guidance.
What are the admission requirements for Florida Tech and Liberty University?

Both Florida Tech and Liberty University require applicants to submit transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and letters of recommendation. Florida Tech places a strong emphasis on math and science coursework in high school, while Liberty University considers a broader range of academic achievements and personal qualities. Specific admission requirements may vary depending on the program of study, so it's essential to check each university's website for the most up-to-date information.
How does the location of each university impact the student experience?

Florida Tech's location in Melbourne, Florida, offers a warm climate, access to beaches, and proximity to the Space Coast's aerospace and technology industries. This provides unique internship and research opportunities for STEM students. Liberty University's location in Lynchburg, Virginia, provides a more traditional college town atmosphere with access to the Blue Ridge Mountains and a variety of outdoor activities. Lynchburg offers a more secluded and self-contained university experience.
What are some of the notable alumni from Florida Tech and Liberty University?

Florida Tech has produced numerous successful engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to the aerospace, technology, and scientific fields. Liberty University has produced notable alumni in various fields, including politics, business, ministry, and entertainment. The specific alumni networks and career paths available to graduates may differ based on the university's academic strengths and industry connections.

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