Overview
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is a public research institution situated in Boca Raton, Florida, with additional satellite campuses in Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, and Fort Pierce. It is an integral member of the State University System of Florida and holds the classification of "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".
Established as Florida's fifth public university in 1964, FAU initially offered upper-division and graduate-level courses. Beginning with an enrollment of 867 students, it expanded its academic scope in 1984 by admitting lower-division undergraduates. Over the years, FAU has evolved into one of the state's largest educational institutions by enrollment, currently accommodating over 30,000 students hailing from 180 countries, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia as of 2021. The university comprises 10 colleges, providing a diverse range of more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. FAU holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
With an annual budget of $900 million and a substantial economic impact of $6.3 billion, FAU has played a pivotal role in the region's educational and economic landscape since its inception. The university boasts a robust alumni network, having awarded degrees to over 185,000 graduates since 1964.
FAU's athletic teams, known as the Florida Atlantic Owls, compete in NCAA Division I and the American Athletic Conference (AAC). With 19 varsity teams, the Owls have achieved notable success, securing titles and championships in the former Conference USA (C-USA) and gaining recognition on the national stage. In a significant development, FAU accepted an invitation to join the AAC on October 21, 2021, officially becoming a full member on July 1, 2023.
Rankings
Academic Rankings
National:
- Forbes: 193
- THE / WSJ: 183
- U.S. News & World Report: 209
- Washington Monthly: 46
Global:
- ARWU: 601-700
- QS: 1201-1400
- THE: 801-1000
- U.S. News & World Report: 1053
USN&WR Graduate School Rankings:
- Nursing: 38
- Public Affairs: 72
- Social Work: 79
- Public Administration: 81
- Part-time MBA: 92
- Computer Engineering: 103
- Overall Education: 138
- Earth Sciences: 149
- Electrical Engineering: 151
- Computer Science: 152
- Mathematics: 160
- Physics: 167
- Fine Arts: 178
- Chemistry: 201
- Biology: 203
In 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked Florida Atlantic University as the 112th best public university in the United States and 209th overall among all national universities, both public and private.
For 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked the undergraduate nursing, business, and engineering programs 93rd, 164th, and 165th nationally, respectively.
The university earned recognition as one of the "Best Southeastern Colleges" in the United States for 2023 according to the Princeton Review.
In 2023, Washington Monthly placed Florida Atlantic University at the 46th spot in their National University Rankings.
Organisational Structure
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) houses various departments across its academic colleges, each dedicated to providing comprehensive education and contributing to research in specific fields. Here is an overview of the major departments at FAU:
- College of Business:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Management Programs
- Marketing
- Information Technology and Operations Management
- Executive Programs
- College of Engineering and Computer Science:
- Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
- College for Design and Social Inquiry:
- Architecture
- Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Public Administration
- Social Work
- Urban and Regional Planning
- College of Education:
- Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Exceptional Student Education
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine:
- Biomedical Science
- Integrated Medical Science
- Clinical Biomedical Science
- College of Nursing:
- Graduate Nursing
- Undergraduate Nursing
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College:
- Arts and Humanities
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters:
- Anthropology
- English
- History
- Philosophy
- Languages, Linguistics, and Comparative Literature
- Political Science
- College of Science:
- Biological Sciences
- Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Geosciences
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing:
- Nursing
- College of Social Work and Criminal Justice:
- Criminal Justice
- Social Work
- Graduate College:
- Various programs across disciplines for graduate studies
These departments offer a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, fostering academic excellence and research innovation at Florida Atlantic University. Each department plays a crucial role in contributing to the university's mission of providing a high-quality education and addressing the needs of the community through research and engagement.