FGCU vs. Florida Poly

Comparable Facts

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

Florida Gulf Coast University is larger than Florida Poly based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 1,769 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

FGCU vs. Florida Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FGCU or Florida Poly? 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 Florida Poly ($12,863 vs. $13,016).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 23.3% lower than at Florida Polytechnic University ($11,107 vs. $14,482).
• Florida Gulf Coast University is 23.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida Poly (about $1,178 more per year; $6,118.00 vs. $4,940.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.8% higher at FGCU than at Florida Polytechnic University (about $4,157 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $21,005.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Polytechnic University than at Florida Gulf Coast University (98% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Polytechnic University students is 1.9% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($8,681 vs. $8,515).

FGCU vs. Florida Poly Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FGCU or Florida Poly? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Florida Poly and FGCU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Florida Polytechnic University (1260) is 140 points higher than at FGCU (1120).
• Incoming Florida Poly students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 22 at FGCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200; Florida Polytechnic University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25; Florida Polytechnic University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FGCU - Required; Florida Poly - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026; Florida Poly Mar 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman FGCU students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Florida Poly (3.53).
• FGCU has a higher acceptance rate (63.4%) than Florida Poly (57.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.9% at FGCU vs. 20.2% at Florida Poly.

FGCU vs. Florida Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FGCU and Florida Poly? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Florida Gulf Coast University's six-year graduation rate is 45%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Florida Poly.
• Graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University have median earnings of about $45,200 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Florida Poly.

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.