Florida Atlantic University: A Student-Centric Campus

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is a large public university with a total student population of over 30,000, including undergraduate and graduate students. The university is spread across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. With over 180 degree programs, FAU has quickly become one of the largest institutions in Florida by enrollment.

Florida Atlantic University has over 30,000 students

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is a public research university with a main campus in Boca Raton, Florida, and satellite campuses in Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, and Fort Pierce. The university was established in 1961 and officially opened its doors in 1964 as Florida's fifth public university.

Today, FAU serves over 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students, making it one of the largest institutions in the state by enrollment. The student body is diverse, with 61% ethnic minorities and students from more than 180 countries. The university offers over 170 degree programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in a range of disciplines.

FAU's first and largest campus in Boca Raton caters to more than 70% of its students and offers the majority of the university's degree programs. The campus features modern amenities such as suite-style housing, athletics and recreational facilities, art galleries, and a cafe/movie theater complex.

The university's other campuses also offer unique opportunities and specialized programs. For example, the John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter is home to the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, providing a live-in, all-honors educational experience for 440 students. The Fort Pierce campus houses the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI), dedicated to exploring the world's oceans and integrating marine research with the needs of humankind.

FAU's growth and expansion over the years reflect its commitment to providing a dynamic and innovative learning environment for its students. With a diverse student body, a wide range of academic programs, and a focus on research and scholarship, Florida Atlantic University offers a vibrant and enriching educational experience for its over 30,000 students.

The student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is a public research university with a student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1. This means that for every 20 students, there is one faculty member. With over 30,000 students and more than 3,200 faculty and staff, the student-to-faculty ratio is an important metric for understanding the composition of the university community.

The student-to-faculty ratio is a key indicator of the level of interaction and support that students can expect from faculty members. A lower ratio suggests a more intimate learning environment, with greater opportunities for individual attention and mentorship. This can be particularly beneficial for students who thrive with more personalised guidance and support in their academic pursuits.

At FAU, the student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1 translates to an average class size of 33 students for undergraduates and 12 students for graduate classes. This relatively small class size allows for a more interactive and engaging learning environment, facilitating meaningful discussions and fostering a sense of community within the classroom.

The ratio also highlights the university's commitment to providing a comprehensive educational experience. With a significant number of faculty members, FAU ensures that students have access to knowledgeable and experienced instructors who can offer guidance and mentorship in their respective fields. This ratio enables the university to maintain a dynamic learning environment that encourages students to explore, innovate, and pursue their academic goals with the support of dedicated faculty.

Furthermore, the student-to-faculty ratio contributes to the overall diversity and richness of the university community. With a diverse range of students and faculty members, FAU fosters a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere that encourages the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and cultural experiences. This diversity enriches the learning experience, providing students with a global perspective and preparing them to thrive in a multifaceted world.

The university has six campuses

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has six campuses spread across Palm Beach, Broward, and St. Lucie counties. The region is home to more than three million people. The university's main campus is located in the City of Boca Raton in Palm Beach County. Boca Raton's campus is home to a wide variety of university programs and facilities, including labs and classrooms, housing for students, a 6,000-gallon shark tank for aquatic research, a movie theatre, athletic and recreational facilities, and the student-run record label Hoot/Wisdom Recordings. The Boca Raton campus also houses other institutions, such as the A.D. Henderson University School, FAU High School, one of Florida Atlantic University's Research Parks, and the Lifelong Learning Society. The main campus serves approximately 19,077 students, or 70% of the university's student body.

The John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter, northern Palm Beach County, is FAU's second campus in Palm Beach County. The campus was established in 1999 to serve residents of central and northern Palm Beach and southern Martin counties. The MacArthur Campus houses the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Scripps Florida, FAU Brain Institute, and the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. The campus serves approximately 1,262 students, or 4% of the university's student body.

FAU operates three campuses in Broward County. The Dania Beach Campus, also known as SeaTech, was founded in 1997 as a state-funded Type II research centre. The campus is home to the university's Department of Ocean Engineering and serves approximately 70 students. The Davie Campus of FAU was established in 1990 and is the university's second-largest campus by enrolment, serving approximately 3,488 students, or 13% of the student body. The Davie Campus offers courses in various disciplines, including social work, criminal justice, arts and letters, business, education, nursing, and science. The university's Fort Lauderdale Campus consists of two buildings: the Askew Tower and the Higher Education Complex on Las Olas Boulevard. The campus offers courses in communication, graphic design, architecture, and urban and regional planning, and it serves approximately 900 students.

In addition to the Treasure Coast Campus, FAU operates a campus in Fort Pierce at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI), which merged with the university in 2007. The Florida Legislature allocated $44 million for the acquisition of the institution and its 600-acre campus.

The Boca Raton campus is the largest, with 19,000 students

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is a public research university with its main campus in Boca Raton, Florida. The Boca Raton campus is the largest, with 19,000 students, accounting for approximately 70% of the university's student body.

The Boca Raton campus was established on the remnants of a World War II American Army airbase in 1964. Spanning 850 acres, the site is located between the cities of Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The campus was designated a burrowing owl sanctuary in 1971 by the Audubon Society. The owls find the campus appealing due to the lack of predators, which can be attributed to the university's proximity to the Boca Raton Airport, and the absence of vegetation, a result of the site's previous use as an airbase. The feisty bird, associated with wisdom and determination, serves as the university's mascot.

FAU's Boca Raton campus offers a wide variety of programs and facilities, including labs, classrooms, housing for over 4,500 students, a 6,000-gallon shark tank for aquatic research, a movie theater, athletic and recreational facilities, and the student-run record label Hoot/Wisdom Recordings. The campus also houses Florida Atlantic's Division I athletics program.

With more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses in southeast Florida, FAU is a large and diverse institution. It is ranked as a top public university and is recognised for its ethnically and culturally diverse student body, being named the most diverse public university in Florida. The university offers numerous degree programs, with the majority of its 170+ degree programs based at the Boca Raton campus.

The Jupiter campus is the smallest, with 1,262 students

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is a public research university with its main campus in Boca Raton, Florida, and satellite campuses in Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, and Fort Pierce. The Jupiter campus, officially known as the John D. MacArthur Campus, is the smallest of FAU's six campuses, with 1,262 students.

The Jupiter campus was established in 1999 to serve residents of central and northern Palm Beach and southern Martin counties. The campus is named after businessman and philanthropist John D. MacArthur and occupies 45 acres of land. It features eight classroom and office buildings, a library, a 500-seat auditorium, three residence halls, a dining hall, a museum building, and a utility plant.

The Jupiter campus is home to the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, which provides a live-in, all-honours educational experience to 440 students. The campus also houses the Scripps Florida, FAU Brain Institute, and the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. These research institutions offer students unique transformational experiences not found anywhere else in the world.

FAU, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as Florida's fifth public university. Today, the university serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across its six campuses and is ranked as a top public university. FAU has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and over 180 countries.

Frequently asked questions