Eckerd College vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, 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 Eckerd College based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 1,893 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eckerd College is located in Saint Petersburg, FL (Midsize City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Eckerd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eckerd College 11:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

Eckerd College vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eckerd 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 Florida Gulf Coast University than Eckerd College ($12,863 vs. $43,884).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 24.6% lower than at Eckerd College ($11,107 vs. $14,734).
• Eckerd College is 748.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $45,766 more per year; $51,884.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.2% higher at Eckerd College than at Florida Gulf Coast University (about $26,722 more per year; $51,884.00 vs. $25,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eckerd College than at Florida Gulf Coast University (99% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eckerd College students is 191.4% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($24,813 vs. $8,515).

Eckerd College vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eckerd 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 Eckerd College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eckerd College (1250) is 130 points higher than at FGCU (1120).
• Incoming Eckerd College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at FGCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eckerd College 1160/1330; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eckerd College 24/29; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eckerd College - Test optional; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Eckerd College (3.8).
• Eckerd College has a higher acceptance rate (75.8%) than FGCU (63.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at Eckerd College vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

Eckerd College vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eckerd 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).

• Eckerd College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Florida Gulf Coast University's (45%).
• Graduates from Eckerd College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than FGCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Gulf Coast University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Eckerd College graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, FGCU graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eckerd College graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Eckerd College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FGCU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 59%)

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.