Daytona State College vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, FL 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 Daytona State College based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 12,820 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Daytona State College is located in Daytona Beach, FL (Small City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Daytona State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Daytona State College 19:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

Daytona State College vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Daytona State College 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 Daytona State College than FGCU ($5,945 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Daytona State College are 6.2% lower than at Florida Gulf Coast University ($10,420 vs. $11,107).
• Florida Gulf Coast University is 97% more expensive for in-state tuition than Daytona State College (about $3,012 more per year; $6,118.00 vs. $3,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.8% higher at FGCU than at Daytona State College (about $13,168 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $11,994.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Daytona State College than at Florida Gulf Coast University (65% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students is 43.9% larger than aid received by Daytona State College students ($8,515 vs. $5,918).

Daytona State College vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Daytona State College 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 Daytona State College.

• Daytona State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFlorida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFlorida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Daytona State College - Open admission; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.

Daytona State College vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Daytona State College 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).

• Graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than Daytona State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $31,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Daytona State College graduates have a $11,490 lower median loan debt than FGCU graduates ($8,010 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Daytona State College graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FGCU graduates ($82 vs. $201).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Daytona State College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 34%)

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.