Research.com
Florida Atlantic University logo

Florida Atlantic University

#178 in US ranking Boca Raton, FL
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Florida Atlantic University award
Florida Atlantic University award

Cost

Cost / year
$24,554
Tuition & fees
$8,456
Avg. aid
$9,749
Receiving aid
91%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
66%
SAT range
1040–1200
ACT range
21–26

Outcomes

Graduation rate
63%
Median salary
$45,624
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Florida Atlantic University?

Florida Atlantic University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation of an individual professional program.

FAU also has programs for which specialized accreditation matters, including fields such as engineering, business, nursing, and medicine. An applicant should verify the specific program and credential with its accreditor, especially when seeking professional licensure. Institutional accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid, but it does not by itself guarantee that credits will transfer to another college or that a graduate will qualify for a license. Those decisions also depend on the receiving institution or licensing authority.

What are the admission requirements at Florida Atlantic University?

First-year admission to FAU is selective rather than open enrollment. Applicants generally submit an undergraduate application, a high school transcript showing graduation or an accepted equivalent, and required admission test results. Florida public-university applicants should check FAU's current instructions for accepted tests, which may include the SAT, ACT, or Classic Learning Test.

FAU reviews academic preparation, including high school coursework and GPA. Class rank and recommendations may be considered but are not general requirements. Applicants whose education was outside the United States may need credential documentation and proof of English proficiency, such as an accepted TOEFL result or another approved measure. Honors, nursing, and other programs may impose additional criteria.

In the reported first-year admissions cycle, FAU admitted about 66% of applicants. The median SAT composite among enrolled first-year students who submitted scores was 1110; the corresponding ACT median was 23. Those are descriptions of enrolled students, not minimum scores or predictions of an individual decision. Deadlines and document requirements can differ by entry term and applicant category, so applicants should use the admissions instructions for their intended term.

What are the application fees and waivers at Florida Atlantic University?

FAU's reported standard undergraduate application fee is $30. The fee pays for application processing; it is separate from tuition, orientation charges, and any later enrollment deposit.

Applicants who cannot afford the fee should review FAU's current fee-waiver instructions before submitting or paying. Eligibility and documentation can depend on the application route and applicant category; a waiver used for a standardized test does not automatically waive a university application fee. Graduate and professional applicants should check their own program's application and fee instructions rather than assuming the undergraduate amount applies.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Florida Atlantic University?

FAU students can pursue Army ROTC through an on-campus program. Air Force ROTC participation is available through a cooperating host institution rather than an Air Force unit operated by FAU.

ROTC combines college coursework with military training and can lead to an officer's commission. Participation, scholarship eligibility, physical standards, scheduling, and eventual service commitments vary by branch and student status. Students considering Air Force ROTC should confirm cross-enrollment logistics with the host detachment; those interested in another branch should verify an active participation arrangement before treating it as an FAU option.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Florida Atlantic University?

FAU accepts transfer applicants and generally evaluates college coursework from accredited institutions. Transfer admission and the award of credit are separate decisions: a course may transfer as credit without satisfying a particular major requirement.

Applicants should submit official transcripts from every college attended. Those with fewer completed college credits may also need high school records and first-year admission credentials; GPA standards and prerequisites can vary with credit level and major. FAU admits transfers for fall, spring, and summer entry. Applicants should check the deadline for their intended term and any earlier deadline set by a selective program.

Florida's public-college Associate in Arts pathway can provide important statewide transfer protections, but it does not guarantee admission to FAU or a particular limited-access major. FAU also reports accepting certain examination or evaluated credits, including CLEP, DSST, and ACE recommendations, subject to its credit rules. An official transfer-credit evaluation and a degree audit are the useful documents for determining what remains to complete a specific FAU degree.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Florida Atlantic University?

FAU offers study-abroad advising and international learning options that may include semester programs, exchanges, and shorter faculty-led experiences. Availability depends on the term, destination, academic department, and current travel conditions.

Before applying, students should establish how proposed courses will count toward their FAU degree and whether a program is run by FAU, an exchange partner, or a third-party provider. That distinction can affect tuition, housing arrangements, deadlines, and the use of financial aid. Students receiving scholarships or federal aid should seek approval from both study-abroad advisers and the relevant financial aid office before committing to program costs.

Florida Atlantic University Admissions Factors

SAT range
1040–1200
4001600
ACT range
21–26
136
Acceptance rate
66%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
66%
Florida
69%
US
78%

20% of admitted students enrolled (4,232 of 20,838)

Florida Atlantic University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 31,511
Admission
Total: 20,838
Enrolled
Total: 4,232
Women
Men

How to Apply to Florida Atlantic University

Regular application deadline

March 13

Application fee

$30

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Florida Atlantic University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 3,319
Out-of-state: 811
International: 99

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 4,232
Transfer: 2,529

Florida Atlantic University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1110

Median composite ACT score

23

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

22.61%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

76.38%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Florida Atlantic University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

Recently Published Articles