Miami, Florida · Public university
Tuition, acceptance rate, scholarships with conservative numbers and the admission process step by step — in dollars and Brazilian reais — updated 2026-08-15. Este guia em português →
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Profile
The figures below come from the US Department of Education's public databases and from Florida International University's own Common Data Set. They let you gauge the size of the institution, the real level of competition and the odds of finishing on time.
Federal data (NCES) covers FIU as a whole, including the Biscayne Bay campus. No official breakdown for the main campus exists.
Admission
Florida International University admits 55% of applicants, according to College Navigator, the US Department of Education's public database.
The middle half of admitted students scored between 1070 and 1260 on the SAT and between 22 and 27 on the ACT. The average high-school GPA of admitted students is 4.0; the published minimum for international applicants is 3.0.
In practice, for a Brazilian applicant: a converted transcript near the average GPA and an SAT inside the range put you in the typical admitted group. Below that, admission is still possible, but merit aid gets harder.
Costs
Tuition at Florida International University for international students is $18,963 a year. With housing, meals and health insurance the estimated total is $33,863 — about R$ 174,733 at R$ 5.16 to the dollar (2026-08-15), verified on 2026-08-15.
| Item | Annual estimate (USD) | Approx. in R$ |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (out of state) | $18,963 | R$ 97,849 |
| Housing and meals | $12,000 | R$ 61,920 |
| Health insurance | $2,900 | R$ 14,964 |
| Estimated total | $33,863 | R$ 174,733 |
Estimates for 2026–2027, verified on 2026-08-15. Converted at R$ 5.16 to the dollar (2026-08-15). Books, transport and course fees vary.
Scholarships
| Scholarship | Amount per year | Criteria | Renewable | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Merit Scholarship (non-resident) | $12,000 | Admitted first-year students with the strongest academic record (GPA plus SAT/ACT/CLT used for admission); non-Florida residents receive an out-of-state tuition reduction (estimated value $12,000 per year for 30 credits). Includes guaranteed Honors College admission. International students on an F-1 visa are eligible. FIU publishes no GPA/SAT cutoffs. | Yes | December 16, 2026 (completed application, non-Florida residents) |
| Gold and Blue Scholarship (non-resident) | $4,000 – $24,000 | Admitted first-year students with outstanding academic performance; for non-Florida residents $4,000 to $24,000 in total, distributed over four years ($1,000 to $6,000 per year). Cannot be stacked with other FIU merit aid. F-1 students eligible. | Yes | December 16, 2026 (completed application, non-Florida residents) |
| FIU National Merit Finalist (non-resident) | National Merit Finalists (US PSAT-based program; in practice limited to students at US high schools). Non-Florida residents receive 100% undergraduate tuition and fees, a book stipend and 100% on-campus housing with meal plan. | May 1, 2027 |
Merit scholarships: students have received between 5% and 30% of tuition (conservative estimate, 2026–2027; verified on 2026-08-15). Typical conditions: Merit scholarships with SAT 1150+ and GPA 3.4+; amounts vary by profile. The real amount depends on your profile — we never promise percentages.
Our rule is simple: we would rather you plan with conservative numbers and be surprised for the better — never the other way round. Studying in the United States is not free for anyone.
International aid
Only awards the university itself describes are listed, with the requirements it publishes. Where the official page does not say whether international students may apply, the table says "not stated" — ask before counting on the money.
Amount per year: Out-of-state merit-based tuition reduction, estimated value $12,000 per year for 30 credits; disbursed as a waiver/scholarship that only offsets the out-of-state portion of tuition
Requirements: Admitted first-time-in-college student with a complete application (fee, official SAT/ACT/CLT scores) by 16 Dec 2026; selected on the same academic record used for admission; limited funding, reviewed until exhausted. FIU publishes no GPA/test cut-off. Benefits: guaranteed Honors College admission, Early Assurance Programs access for the College of Medicine, priority registration.
International: Yes
Renewal: Annual renewal: earn at least 30 FIU credit hours per academic year (fall, spring, summer) with a 3.00 FIU cumulative GPA; must be enrolled in at least 12 credits each fall and spring to disburse; capped at 120 credits or 4 years, whichever comes first.
Deadline: 16 December 2026 (non-Florida residents, Early Fall/Fall 2027); decisions released in January. Recommended last test dates: ACT 17 Oct 2026, CLT 17 Sep 2026, SAT 3 Oct 2026.
How to apply: Automatic: 'No additional applications or FAFSA are required for merit-based scholarships.' Cannot be combined with the Grandparent Waiver (another out-of-state tuition waiver); cancelled if the student becomes an in-state resident.
Amount per year: $4,000 to $24,000 total, distributed over four years (per-year amount not published; renewal-page example: annual offer/30 × enrolled credits)
Requirements: Admitted freshman for Early Fall/Fall 2027 with a complete application by 16 Dec 2026; 'to recognize outstanding academic performance'; limited, not guaranteed; no published cut-off.
International: Yes
Renewal: Annual renewal: earn at least 30 FIU credit hours per academic year (fall, spring, summer) with a 3.00 FIU cumulative GPA; must be enrolled in at least 12 credits each fall and spring to disburse; capped at 120 credits or 4 years, whichever comes first.
Deadline: 16 December 2026 (non-Florida residents).
How to apply: Automatic with the admission application. 'Gold and Blue scholarships cannot be stacked with other forms of FIU merit aid.'
Amount per year: 100% undergraduate tuition and fees plus a book stipend; 100% on-campus housing with meal plan
Requirements: Be a National Merit Finalist (US PSAT/NMSQT-based program); complete FIU admission and list FIU as first choice with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by 1 May 2027. In practice only reachable by Brazilians at schools that administer the PSAT.
International: Not stated
Renewal: Annual renewal: earn at least 30 FIU credit hours per academic year (fall, spring, summer) with a 3.00 FIU cumulative GPA; must be enrolled in at least 12 credits each fall and spring to disburse; capped at 120 credits or 4 years, whichever comes first. Must also meet National Merit Scholarship Corporation renewal rules.
Deadline: 1 May 2027.
How to apply: Automatic after admission + naming FIU first choice with NMSC; contact nationalmerit@fiu.edu.
Amount per year: Up to $2,500 per academic year
Requirements: Florida or DC resident; US citizen or permanent resident; 3.2 GPA; application by 2 Nov 2026 and RaiseMe profile by 1 Dec.
International: No
Renewal: 30 FIU credits per year and 2.0 GPA.
Deadline: 2 November 2026 (application) / 1 December (profile).
How to apply: Raise.me profile; cannot be stacked with other FIU merit scholarships.
Amount per year: 1st place $3,000; 2nd $1,500; 3rd $500
Requirements: FIU Honors College student; the Honors College page states citizenship/visa eligibility explicitly. Other Honors College awards (min 3.3 GPA; e.g. Sarah R. Gaylord First Generation $10,000/yr, Harvey L. Young $2,000/yr) follow the general rule: 'Be a citizen of the United States, a U.S. lawful permanent resident or an international student on an aid eligible visa.'
International: Yes
Renewal: Not stated for this award (other Honors College awards are 'auto-renewable four years').
Deadline: Not stated on the page.
How to apply: Through the Honors College / FIU Scholarship Search (Academic Works, fiu.academicworks.com) after admission.
Amount per year: Program ended on July 1, 2026
Requirements: Florida law HB 905 eliminated every Linkage Institute scholarship in the state, for new and continuing students. FIU's page still mentions the program; the University of Florida, which ran it, confirms the termination.
International: No
Renewal: Not applicable
Deadline: Not applicable
How to apply: No longer possible
There is no federal or state need-based aid for international students; FIU says so in as many words. What exists is merit (Presidential and Gold and Blue, above) and donor awards through the Academic Works platform, with a separate application.
Scores
| Requirement | Reference |
|---|---|
| SAT (25th–75th percentile) | 1070 – 1260 |
| ACT (25th–75th percentile) | 22 – 27 |
| Average GPA of admitted students | 4.0 |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
| SAT/ACT policy | SAT or ACT required |
FIU does not require the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo from international first-year applicants for direct admission: English proficiency is shown through the reading and writing sections of the SAT, ACT or CLT, under Florida's statewide rule. Verified on 2026-09-05 on the international first-year admissions page.
The ENEM plays no part in the review. The university converts your secondary-school grades onto the American 0 to 4 scale, and that number is what appears as your GPA. Averages between 7 and 8 usually land near 3.0; above 9, near 4.0. The conversion is done either by the university itself or by a credential evaluation service, and the transcript has to be translated by a sworn translator.
Tests
U.S. News publishes the range covering the middle half of admitted students, not an average. Use the range as a gauge of competitiveness (2026 data).
| Item | Reference |
|---|---|
| SAT (25th–75th percentile) | 1070 – 1260 |
| ACT (25th–75th percentile) | 21 – 27 |
| Average high-school GPA | 3.5 |
| Acceptance rate | 55% |
Source: U.S. News & World Report
| Test | Minimum score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| General rule (international first-year applicants) | TOEFL/IELTS not required for direct admission; proficiency is shown through SAT/ACT/CLT sub-section scores | Verbatim: 'For direct admission to FIU, international first time in college students are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Students are required to meet the Florida Board of Governors requirements for the college readiness largely determined by their SAT or ACT sub-section scores in Verbal/Reading and English sections. If students meet these sub-section scores and have the appropriate GPA, they are academically qualified for admission to FIU.' The page does not print the sub-section numbers; see the 'SAT/ACT/CLT (BOG 6.008)' row. |
| SAT/ACT/CLT section minimums (Florida BOG 6.008) | SAT: Reading and Writing 490, Math 480 · ACT: Reading 19, English 17, Math 19 · CLT: Verbal Reasoning + Grammar/Writing (sum) 38, Quantitative Reasoning 16 | Figures from Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.008 (amendment text dated 22 Jun 2023, approved by the Board on 8 Sep 2023). FIU cites BOG 6.008 but does not print the numbers. These are college-readiness minimums, not admission guarantees. |
| TOEFL iBT | Not listed for direct freshman admission. Only in the FIU Global First Year pathway (Shorelight): 68+ (2-semester G1Y), 60-67 (3-semester G1Y), 41-59 (Pre-Sessional English) | Legacy 0-120 scale; the new 1-6 scale is not mentioned on any page checked. |
| IELTS Academic | Not listed for direct admission. Global First Year: 5.5+ (G1Y 2), 5.0 (G1Y 3), 4.5 (Pre-Sessional) | |
| Cambridge English | Not listed for direct admission. Global First Year: B2 First (G1Y 2 and G1Y 3), B1 Preliminary (Pre-Sessional) | No Cambridge English Scale score is published; C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency are not named (they exceed B2 First, but this is not stated). |
| Duolingo English Test | Not listed | Absent from the international freshman page and the Global First Year page. The 'Duolingo 110' figure seen in search results is from the graduate page (admissions.fiu.edu/international/graduate-school/english-language-proficiency/) and does not apply to freshmen. |
| PTE Academic | Not listed | Same: 'PTE 53' in search results is the graduate requirement. |
| TOEFL Essentials | Not listed | |
| iTEP | Not listed | |
| ELS | Not listed | |
| Waiver for English-medium schooling | Not stated | The page only says: 'Applicants from non-English speaking countries, including internationally educated domestic students, must demonstrate proficiency in English.' Since proof is via SAT/ACT/CLT, there is no separate waiver to request. |
Cambridge English (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency) appears in the table when the university accepts it. If it is absent, the official page does not list it — do not send a Cambridge certificate in place of the TOEFL without confirming with admissions.
The SAT, ACT or CLT is required of every first-year applicant, international included, and must arrive by the deadline to compete for merit scholarships. FIU superscores, combining your best section scores across test dates. For international students, English proficiency is shown through the reading and writing sections of those exams; English certificates do not replace that requirement for direct admission. Verified on 2026-09-05.
Majors
There are 77 majors, grouped by the school that offers them, each with the degree code the application form uses. Search by name, or filter by school or STEM.
The 25 majors marked STEM qualify for an extra 24 months of work authorisation on top of OPT — up to 36 months working in the United States after graduation. If you plan to stay, that designation matters more than the name of the degree.
77 majors
No major matches that name. Try a broader word, or the degree code.
Graduate
There are 124 programs open to international students, 18 of them STEM-designated.
| Program | STEM | GRE or GMAT required | Intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom1 | |||
| Business & Government Leadership MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Arts, Sciences & Education39 | |||
| Adult Education and Human Resource Development - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Biological Sciences - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Chemistry - MS | Yes | FSpSu | |
| Counselor Education - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Creative Writing - MFA | No | FSpSu | |
| Curriculum and Instruction - Curriculum Development Track - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Curriculum and Instruction - Elementary Education Track - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Curriculum and Instruction - English Education Track - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Curriculum and Instruction - Learning Technologies Track - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Curriculum and Instruction - Mathematics Education Track - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Curriculum and Instruction - Modern Language Education Track - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Curriculum and Instruction - Physical Education Track - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Curriculum and Instruction - Science Education Track - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Curriculum and Instruction - Social Studies Education Track - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Curriculum and Instruction - Special Education Track - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Early Childhood Education - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Educational Leadership - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Educational Leadership Online - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| English - MA | — | FSpSu | |
| Environmental Policy & Management - Professional Science Master | — | FSpSu | |
| Environmental Studies - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Foreign Language Education - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Forensic Science - MS | Yes | FSpSu | |
| Forensic Science - Professional Science Master | — | FSpSu | |
| Geosciences - MS | Yes | FSpSu | |
| Higher Education Administration - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Kinesiology & Exercise Science - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Linguistics - MA | — | FSpSu | |
| Mathematical Sciences - MS | Yes | FSpSu | |
| Physics - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Psychology - Behavior Analysis Track - MS | Yes | FSpSu | |
| Psychology - Counseling Track - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Psychology - Organizational Science Track - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Reading/Literacy Education - MS - Certification Reading/Literacy Track | — | FSpSu | |
| Reading/Literacy Education - MS - Literacy Studies Track | — | FSpSu | |
| Recreation and Sport Management - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Special Education - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Special Education - ONLINE - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Statistics - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Business17 | |||
| Accounting - MACC | Yes | FSpSu | |
| Business Analytics - MBA | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| Cybersecurity Risk Management - MBA | STEM | No | FSpSu |
| Executive MBA | No | FSpSu | |
| Finance - MSF | — | FSpSu | |
| Health Informatics and Analytics - MS | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| Human Resource Management - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Information Systems - MS | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| International Business - MIB | — | FSpSu | |
| International MBA | — | FSpSu | |
| International Real Estate - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Logistics & Supply Chain Management - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Marketing - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Professional MBA - Healthcare Management | No | FSpSu | |
| Professional MBA Downtown | No | FSpSu | |
| Professional MBA Flex | — | FSpSu | |
| Professional MBA Online | — | FSpSu | |
| Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management8 | |||
| Hospitality Management - Cruise Line Operations - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Hospitality Management - Distance Executive Master's Track - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Hospitality Management - Mega Events Management Master's Track - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Hospitality Management - Mixed Mode - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Hospitality Management - MS (Thesis & Traditional) | — | FSpSu | |
| Hospitality Management - Real Estate Specialization - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Hospitality Management - Revenue Management Specialization - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Hospitality Management - Thesis Track - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Communication, Architecture + The Arts19 | |||
| Animation Media - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Architecture Professional - MARCH | — | FSpSu | |
| Art Education - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Art Education K-12 - MAT | — | FSpSu | |
| Design - MA | — | FSpSu | |
| Game Media - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Interior Architecture Post-Professional - MA | — | FSpSu | |
| Interior Architecture Professional Degree - MIA | — | FSpSu | |
| Landscape Architecture Post-Professional - MA | — | FSpSu | |
| Landscape Architecture Professional - MLA | — | FSpSu | |
| Mass Communications - Advanced News Reporting Track - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Mass Communications - Global Strategic Communications Creative Track - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Mass Communications - Global Strategic Communications Track - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Mass Communications - Spanish Language Journalism Track - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Music - MM | — | FSpSu | |
| Music Education - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Research Design and Analysis Online - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Urban Design - MA | — | FSpSu | |
| Visual Arts - MFA | — | FSpSu | |
| Engineering & Computing15 | |||
| Biomedical Engineering - MS | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| Civil Engineering - MS | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| Computer Engineering - MS | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| Computer Science - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Construction Management - MS | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| Cybersecurity - MS | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| Data Science & Artificial Intelligence - MS | STEM | No | FSpSu |
| Electrical Engineering - MS | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| Engineering Management - MS | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| Environmental Engineering - MS | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| Information Technology - MS | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| Internet of Things - MS | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| Logistics Engineering - MS | STEM | No | FSpSu |
| Materials Science and Engineering - MS | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| Mechanical Engineering - MS | STEM | — | FSpSu |
| Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine1 | |||
| Physician Assistant Studies - MPAS | No | FSpSu | |
| Law1 | |||
| Juris Masters - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences5 | |||
| Athletic Training - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Health Services Administration - MHSA | — | FSpSu | |
| Nursing - Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) - Adult Gerontology (Primary or Acute), Psychiatric, Family or Child - MSN | — | FSpSu | |
| Occupational Therapy - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Speech Language Pathology - MSLP | — | FSpSu | |
| Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work4 | |||
| Dietetics and Nutrition - MS | — | FSpSu | |
| Disaster Management - MA | — | FSpSu | |
| Public Health - MPH | No | FSpSu | |
| Social Work - MSW | — | FSpSu | |
| Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs14 | |||
| African and African Diaspora Studies - MA | — | FSpSu | |
| Asian Studies - MA | No | FSpSu | |
| Criminal Justice - MS | No | FSpSu | |
| Economics - MA | Yes | FSpSu | |
| Global Affairs - MA | — | FSpSu | |
| Global and Sociocultural Studies - MA | No | FSpSu | |
| History - MA | — | FSpSu | |
| International Studies - MA | Yes | FSpSu | |
| Latin American and Caribbean Studies - MA | No | FSpSu | |
| Political Science - MA | No | FSpSu | |
| Public Administration - Executive Track - PA: EMPA sub-plan | — | FSpSu | |
| Public Administration - MPA | No | FSpSu | |
| Religious Studies - MA | No | FSpSu | |
| Spanish - MA | — | FSpSu | |
No program matches those filters. Clear one of them.
The STEM designation matters more at master's level than at undergraduate. It allows a request for 24 extra months of OPT on top of the initial 12, which means up to three years working in the United States off a one- or two-year degree.
| Requirement | Reference |
|---|---|
| Minimum TOEFL (1–6 band scale, in force since 21 January 2026) | 4.5 · tests taken before 21 January 2026: 80 |
| Minimum IELTS | 6.5 |
| Minimum Duolingo | 110 |
| Application fee | $30 |
| Minimum full-time load | 9 credit hours per semester |
33 of the programs above waive the GRE and GMAT. The rest require the test, and a waiver is only considered for applicants holding a business degree from an AACSB-accredited institution. Work experience does not count towards a waiver.
Beyond a transcript from every institution you attended, with certified translation, the application asks for a personal statement in English, a professional resume and two reference forms from people who can speak to your academic and professional background. A course-by-course credential evaluation is strongly recommended.
| Intake | Application complete by |
|---|---|
| Fall intake | February 15 (international applicants abroad); June 1 (applicants already in the U.S.) |
| Spring intake | August 1 (international applicants abroad); October 1 (applicants already in the U.S.) |
Deadlines
| Intake | Application deadline | Scholarship deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall intake | December 16, 2026 (Regular Decision; Early Action by November 2; final deadline March 2, 2027) | December 16, 2026 (completed application) |
Documents
The order below is the order in which Florida International University asks for each item. Start with the first two: they depend on third parties and they are what stalls the process.
Campus
The main campus sits in western Miami, far from the beach and Downtown, on flat ground ringed by wide avenues. It is a large campus, but the academic core takes only a few minutes to cross on foot, past modern buildings, lakes and palm shade that is never quite enough at noon. The Graham Center works as the university's living room: food court, tables occupied all day, flyers for clubs and parties. There is an art museum, an arena and a stadium on campus. What surprises most newcomers in week one is the sound. Much of the hallway conversation happens in Spanish, even though every class is taught in English. The campus also empties at night and on Fridays, because many students live at home and drive in for class.
The university has a second, smaller campus on the bay in north Miami, home to hospitality and tourism programs. A shuttle connects the two. First-year housing is a cluster of residence halls near the lake. You fill out a profile form covering sleep schedule, tolerance for mess and noise, and the system suggests roommates. Spaces are limited and go early, so the contract is worth signing as soon as admission comes through. Bring bedding and anything hard to find locally. Everything else you buy in the first week, alongside everyone else.
There is no requirement to live on campus in the first year, which opens up sharing an apartment off campus — usually cheaper, with transport left to solve.
City
Miami was built for cars, and that shapes your first year. The campus is not next to a rail station, so students without a car rely on city buses, ride apps, friends and the university shuttle. On campus, a bike or scooter is enough. Off campus, every trip becomes a plan. The neighborhoods right next door, Sweetwater and Westchester, are the most practical for anyone who does not want to fight traffic. Doral and Kendall come later, once a group of friends is splitting rent. Brickell and Coral Gables offer more street life and cost more.
Weekends change with your mood: the beach at Key Biscayne or South Beach, murals and markets in Wynwood, coffee and dominoes in Little Havana, tree-lined sidewalks in Coconut Grove. The climate is humid year round. From May to October it rains most afternoons, hard and fast, and you learn to keep an umbrella in your bag. Hurricane season is routine rather than drama: the university has a protocol, sends email alerts, closes and reopens.
Miami is one of the most international cities in the country, and the campus reflects that. You will hear several languages a day, and students from Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe are part of ordinary campus life rather than an exception. The international airport is close to campus, with direct flights to much of the Americas, which matters in December and July.
| Item | Reference |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom rent off campus | $2,510 / month |
| Public transport | Miami-Dade Transit (Metrorail, Metromover, Metrobus, Metro Express); full-time students ride Metrobus and Metrorail at half price; the Metrorail Orange Line reaches the airport for $2.25; on the main campus the Panther Mover shuttle is free. |
| Nearest airport | Miami International Airport (MIA): 55.3 million passengers in 2025, 176 non-stop destinations (102 international), 2nd in the US for international passengers; connected to Metrorail (Orange Line). |
| Distance to Orlando | 378 km |
| Climate | Tropical: average annual high 84.3 F (29 C) and low 70.1 F (21 C); August is the hottest month (high 91 F) and January the coolest (low 60 F); 61.9 inches (1,572 mm) of rain a year, mostly in summer; hurricane season June to November. |
F-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and up to 30 hours per week during summer and school breaks; an ISSS employment certification is required before starting.
Careers
The median salary of graduates from this university is $60,249 a year, according to the College Scorecard, a US government public database.
On an F-1 visa you can work up to 20 hours a week on campus during term, and full time during breaks.
CPT allows an off-campus internship when it forms part of your program's curriculum, with university authorisation.
OPT gives 12 months of work authorisation in your field after graduation.
STEM-designated programs allow a request for a 24-month extension of OPT — up to 36 months of authorised work in total after graduation.
Immigration rules change — verified on 2026-08-15. Confirm with the university's international student office before making any decision based on this page.
Compare
FIU makes sense if you want to be inside a major city from day one, with internships, events and professional contacts a short ride away. The environment is Latin and international, which tends to make adaptation easier for students arriving from abroad. It makes less sense if you picture the classic American college experience, with an enclosed campus, packed bleachers and everyone living together for four years. That version lives in Gainesville, Tallahassee or Orlando.
The universities below are the closest to this one in total cost. Compare before deciding: the tuition gap between two of them is usually larger than any merit scholarship.
| University | Total cost per year | Average SAT | Minimum TOEFL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida International University (this page) | $33,863 | 1190 | |
| FAMU (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University) | $32,757 | 1080 | 80 |
| Florida Atlantic University | $31,824 | 1170 | 4.5 (1–6 scale) |
| Atlantis University | $30,020 | 70 |
FAQ
The estimated total — tuition, housing and health insurance — is $33,863 per year before any scholarship. Books, transport and course fees are not included. We prefer that you plan with this number and be surprised for the better.
Not always for admission, but almost always for merit scholarships. The admitted average is around 1190. Without an SAT score you can be admitted and pay full price; with a competitive score, the same university can cost much less.
The ENEM plays no part. The university converts the transcript grades to the American 0–4 GPA scale from a sworn translation. Averages between 7 and 8 usually land near 3.0; above 9, near 4.0. The minimum required is 3.0.
On an F-1 visa you can work up to 20 hours a week on campus during the term and full time during breaks. After graduation, OPT gives 12 months of work authorization in your field, and STEM majors can request 24 more.
Florida International University admits 55% of applicants. The published minimum GPA for international applicants is 3.0 on the American 0–4 scale — a Brazilian transcript is converted to that scale from a sworn translation. The SAT range and average GPA of admitted students, where the university publishes them, are in the Admission section of this page. Below those marks admission is still possible; what gets harder is merit aid.
$18,963 a year at the out-of-state rate, which is what a Brazilian pays. With housing, meals and health insurance the estimated total is $33,863 — about R$ 174,733 in Brazilian reais at R$ 5.16 to the dollar. Merit scholarships reduce tuition, not the other items.
On estimated total cost per year, Florida International University comes to $33,863 and FAMU (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University) to $32,757. The gap between the two is usually larger than any merit scholarship, so compare total cost before comparing scholarships.
No. Classes, exams and assignments are all in English, and admission evaluates your English, not your Spanish. What is true is that much of campus and city social life happens in Spanish. Speakers of other Romance languages usually pick up a lot simply by being around it. Treating that as a bonus works better than treating it as an obstacle.
It is one of the university's strongest areas, with its own school on the bayside campus. The real advantage sits outside the classroom: Miami runs hotels, restaurants, a cruise port and a year-round events calendar, and that turns into internships and first jobs. Curriculum and requirements change over time, so confirm the details with the international admissions office.
This is the thing to watch at FIU, and it has a practical fix. Living in the residence halls during your first year gives you a ready-made network. Joining a student club, a major-based association, a sport or an international student group in the first weeks matters more than anything else you do. Once classes are underway the campus goes quiet between sessions, and meeting people takes more initiative on your part.
Sources
Every block on this page carries its own verification date. Costs and admission requirements come from the Common Data Set and the official international admissions page. Enrollment, acceptance and graduation figures come from College Navigator, the US Department of Education's public database.
Converted to Brazilian reais at R$ 5.16 to the dollar on 2026-08-15. Exchange rates move; the dollar figures are the reference.
Data verified on 2026-08-15.
Sources: College Scorecard · Common Data Set · College Navigator · Official university site
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