FSW vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, 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 FSW based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 14,301 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida SouthWestern State College is located in Fort Myers, FL (Large Suburban setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Florida SouthWestern 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: Florida SouthWestern State College 27:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

FSW vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FSW 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 SouthWestern State College than FGCU ($8,356 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 0.7% lower than at Florida SouthWestern State College ($11,107 vs. $11,185).
• Florida Gulf Coast University is 79.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than FSW (about $2,717 more per year; $6,118.00 vs. $3,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93.9% higher at FGCU than at Florida SouthWestern State College (about $12,183 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $12,979.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida SouthWestern State College than at Florida Gulf Coast University (80% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students is 43.4% larger than aid received by Florida SouthWestern State College students ($8,515 vs. $5,938).

FSW vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FSW 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 FSW.

• Florida SouthWestern 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: FSW - Open admission; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.94 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at FSW (3.06).

FSW vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FSW 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 $7,800 more per year than FSW graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida SouthWestern State College graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than FGCU graduates ($9,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, FSW graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FGCU graduates ($93 vs. $201).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FSW students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 43%)

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.