Arkansas State University vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR with Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida Gulf Coast University is larger than Arkansas State University based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 15,726 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, AR (Small City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Arkansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas State University 17:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

Arkansas State University vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or FGCU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas State University than FGCU ($12,410 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 3.8% lower than at Arkansas State University ($11,107 vs. $11,550).
• Arkansas State University is 32.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $1,972 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.3% higher at FGCU than at Arkansas State University (about $10,640 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas State University than at Florida Gulf Coast University (97% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University students is 57.3% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($13,395 vs. $8,515).

Arkansas State University vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or FGCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between FGCU and Arkansas State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Gulf Coast University (1120) is 40 points higher than at Arkansas State University (1080).
• Incoming FGCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Arkansas State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 970/1190; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 18/24; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas State University - Test optional; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Arkansas State University (3.66).
• Arkansas State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than FGCU (63.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Arkansas State University vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

Arkansas State University vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas State University and FGCU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Florida Gulf Coast University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Arkansas State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Gulf Coast University and Arkansas State University graduates have the same median loan debt ($19,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Florida Gulf Coast University and Arkansas State University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($201 vs. $201).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas State University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.