Florida International University was established by the Florida legislature in 1965.  Classes in upper-division and graduate programs began in September 1972.  In 1981, the University added lower division classes for freshmen and sophomores, expanding its enrollment capacity.

In 1984, the University received authority to begin offering degree programs at the doctoral level; these programs received Level IV accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in 1986.

 The Florida Board of Regents appointed Charles E. Perry as the first president of FIU in 1969. He was succeeded in January 1976 by Harold B. Crosby. Gregory B. Wolfe was named the third president in February 1979. Modesto A. Maidique, the fourth and current president, was appointed to his position in August 1986. 

There is 1,200 full-time faculty and 83,000 alumni, making it the largest public university in Southeast Florida.

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