Florida Tech vs Nova Southeastern University (NSU)

Florida Institute of Technology and Nova Southeastern University, both esteemed institutions in Florida, offer distinct educational experiences. Florida Tech, known for its strong STEM programs, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a higher graduation rate compared to Nova Southeastern. Nova Southeastern, on the other hand, offers a more diverse student body and a wider range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including health professions and law. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into specific details such as acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and career goals.

	Florida Institute of Technology	Nova Southeastern University
Overview
Location	Melbourne, Florida	Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Campus setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Trimester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	82.0%	78.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	65.9%	92.5%
Application fees	$50	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1140 - 1340	1040 - 1310
ACT range	24 - 30	20 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	68.0%	42.0%
Students submitting ACT score	30.0%	17.0%
Total number of applicants	10,650	11,749
Total number of admissions given out	7,016	10,868
Admitted students who chose to enroll	756	1,672
Yield rate	10.8%	15.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$61,442	$57,175
Average net price	$32,314	$26,530
Tuition	$42,346	$33,510
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,416 Meal plan: $5,980	Room/dormitory: $10,944 Meal plan: $3,190
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $25,807	100.0% Average amount $23,747
Students receiving federal student loan	48.0% Average amount $5,481	45.0% Average amount $5,272
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $24,026	7.0% Average amount $14,731

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,491 Men 69.4% Women 30.6%	6,637 Men 27.8% Women 72.2%
Graduate students	4,339 Men 35.7% Women 64.3%	14,261 Men 27.8% Women 72.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	54.8%	N/A
International students	19.3%	3.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,017	2,049
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	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Psychology Business Transportation and Logistics Computer and Information Science	Health Professions Education Business Psychology Biological and Biomedical Sciences
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%	60.5%
Dropout rate	32.8%	5.4%
Transferred out	N/A	33.3%
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	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $122,573 Year 2: $176,775 Year 3: $195,076 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $166,493 Year 2: $166,905 Year 3: $169,931 Information Science/Studies (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $117,731 Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $129,964 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $89,302 Year 2: $112,701 Year 3: $117,811 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $92,664 Year 2: $114,892 Year 3: $116,799 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,520 Year 2: $100,224 Year 3: $110,420 Dentistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $98,409 Year 2: $104,935 Year 3: $109,861 Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $91,905 Year 2: $92,040 Year 3: $100,946 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,562 Year 2: $87,235 Year 3: $96,127 Optometry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $91,752 Year 2: $88,588 Year 3: $94,659

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic strengths of Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) compared to Nova Southeastern University (NSU)?

FIT excels in STEM fields, particularly engineering, aviation, and space sciences. It's known for its strong research focus and hands-on learning experiences in these areas. NSU, on the other hand, offers a broader range of programs, including strong programs in health sciences (medicine, pharmacy, etc.), law, and business. NSU also has a significant emphasis on graduate and professional programs.
How does the campus environment differ between FIT and NSU?

FIT has a more traditional, focused campus environment located in Melbourne, Florida, near the Kennedy Space Center. It fosters a strong sense of community, especially among students in STEM fields. NSU's main campus is in Davie, Florida, and is larger and more diverse, reflecting its broader academic offerings. NSU's campus is also more integrated with the surrounding South Florida metropolitan area.
What is the cost of attendance like at FIT versus NSU?

Tuition and fees at both institutions are comparable, but can vary depending on the specific program and year. It's recommended to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date information on tuition, fees, and financial aid opportunities. Consider factors like scholarships and living expenses when comparing the overall cost.
How do the student populations and campus cultures compare?

FIT has a smaller student body, which contributes to a more close-knit community. The culture is heavily influenced by STEM interests, with a focus on innovation and practical application. NSU has a larger and more diverse student population, reflecting its wider range of academic programs. The campus culture is more varied, with a strong emphasis on professional development and community engagement.
What are the research opportunities like at FIT and NSU?

FIT provides significant research opportunities, particularly in engineering, aviation, and space sciences, often involving collaborations with organizations like NASA. NSU also offers research opportunities, especially in health sciences, marine biology, and psychology, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and research centers.
How do the career services and alumni networks differ?

Both universities offer career services to assist students with job placement and career development. FIT's career services are particularly strong in STEM fields, with connections to aerospace and technology companies. NSU's career services cater to a broader range of fields, including healthcare, law, and business, with a strong alumni network in South Florida and beyond.
What are the extracurricular activities and student life options like at each university?

FIT offers a variety of student clubs and organizations, with a focus on STEM-related activities, aviation, and sports. NSU has a wider array of extracurricular options, including Greek life, a more extensive athletic program, and a greater variety of student clubs and organizations reflecting its larger and more diverse student body.
Which university is better for someone interested in aviation?

FIT is generally considered the stronger choice for aviation-related programs. It has a well-regarded College of Aviation with flight training programs and strong industry connections. While NSU may offer some aviation-related courses, FIT's program is more comprehensive and specialized.
Which university is better for someone interested in health sciences?

NSU is generally the stronger choice for health sciences. It has a comprehensive College of Osteopathic Medicine, a pharmacy school, a dental school, and other health-related programs. While FIT may offer some related programs, NSU's offerings are much more extensive.
How does the location of each university impact the student experience?

FIT's location in Melbourne, Florida, provides easy access to the Space Coast and related industries, offering unique internship and career opportunities. NSU's location in Davie, Florida, offers proximity to the vibrant South Florida metropolitan area, providing access to diverse cultural experiences, entertainment, and a wide range of internship and job opportunities.

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