Florida Tech continues to be an admired institution

by President Catanese

There are many reasons I love this time of year. For one, fresh, eager young faces have reappeared on campus and, this year, we have a bumper crop of new students.

I also look forward to the recognition the university receives in late summer and fall when key media rankings for colleges and universities are published. Once again, we are looking very good.

Most important, for the second year in a row U.S. News & World Report lists us as a Tier One Best National University. Among the 1,500 institutions assessed by the publication (leaving many unranked), Florida Tech was among the top four national universities in Florida (UM, UF and FSU were also included).

Additionally, we are one of only nine public and private schools in Florida chosen by the Fiske Guide to Colleges. Fiske listed us among just 330 nationwide in their top-rated guide. Fiske also places Florida Tech in the “inexpensive” category for private schools.

Princeton Review once again named Florida Tech a “Best in Southeast” college. Their rating is based on what students at their schools report through a student survey.

Forbes recognized Florida Tech as among America’s top undergraduate institutions in a ranking of just 650 schools.

And, guess what? Our graduates are rated as good earners, too. Payscale.com’s 2011–2012 College Salary Report ranks Florida Tech graduates’ mid-career median salaries in first place among Florida’s universities. Nationally, Florida Tech climbed 17 spots compared to 2010–2011, from #56 to #39 among private universities. Student success remains our primary focus and it’s reassuring and pleasing to see that our grads continue to rank among the top earners in the nation, confirming the value of their degrees.

My congratulations to faculty and staff for helping to make Florida Tech such an admired institution. I wish you all a productive and successful fall semester.