Preeminence

FIU is a Preeminent State Research University, a prestigious designation by the Florida Board of Governors recognizing institutions that excel in student success, research, and national rankings.
As the youngest of only four universities to achieve this status, FIU continues to elevate classroom instruction and world-class research, driving innovation and impact on a global scale.
  • 58,000+

    Students

  • Top 50

    Best Public Universities

  • #1

    Student Experience

  • Top 3

    Public University

  • #1

    Social Mobility

FIU by the numbers

  • 1972 FIU opens its doors
  • 218 degree programs
  • 99% of tenured faculty hold doctoral degrees or the highest degrees attainable in their fields
  • 17 intercollegiate athletic teams
  • Top 50 public research university

See FIU's top 50 rankings

Research

  • Research 1 Carnegie Foundation classification: R1 Doctoral University – Very High Research Activity
  • Nearly $317 million annual research expenditures  creating $5B economic impact annually
  • FIU is ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world for the number of U.S. utility patents produced
  • Top 15  Most Innovative Public Universities, U.S. World & News Report, 2025

Explore FIU's Research

More About FIU

FIU’s Vision

Florida International University will be a leading urban public research university focused on student learning, innovation and collaboration.

FIU’s Mission

Florida International University is an urban, multi-campus, public research university serving its students and the diverse population of South Florida. We are committed to high-quality teaching, state-of-the-art research and creative activity, and collaborative engagement with our local and global communities.

A Bold Beginning

In 1965, Florida Senator Robert M. Haverfield introduced Senate Bill 711, setting the stage for Miami’s first public university.

An abandoned airfield might seem like an unlikely birthplace for a university, but in 1969, founding President Chuck Perry saw limitless potential in the empty Tamiami Airport control tower. With Butler Waugh, Donald McDowell, and Nick Sileo, he turned that humble tower—without phones, water, or furniture—into the launchpad for FIU.

Determined to honor these roots, Perry ensured the tower would remain standing, now known as FIU’s Ivory Tower, a symbol of resilience and ambition.
From one building on an empty airfield to one of the largest and most influential universities in the nation, FIU’s spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, and unstoppable momentum continues to shape the future.

An investment in FIU is an investment in the future of the South Florida community and the state.

Scott Norberg, J.D., Professor of FIU’s College of Law