FIU vs. FGCU

Should I go to Florida International University or Florida Gulf Coast University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if FIU or FGCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

FAU UCF Miami Florida State Nova USF Main Campus University of South Florida St. Petersburg UT UNF Florida Florida Tech The University of West Florida
Florida International University vs. Florida Gulf Coast University comparison
Florida International University Florida Gulf Coast University College 3 College 4
Florida International University Florida Gulf Coast University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

FIU FGCU
Location Miami, FL Fort Myers, FL
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 55,609 15,969
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #622 #802
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fiu.edu fgcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

FIU FGCU
Tuition (In State) $4,721 $4,191
Tuition (Out of State) $16,529 $22,328
Room & Board $11,600 $9,772
Avg Net Price $9,881 $10,834
Avg Grant Aid $11,087 $7,268
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 72%

Admission

FIU FGCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,343 15,657
Admitted 11,075 11,647
Acceptance Rate 63.9% 74.4%
Enrolled % 39.9% 24.1%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 4.0
Typical High School Grades A/A+ A/A+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 21/26 20/25
SAT Range 1060/1250 1040/1200
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025 Nov 1, 2024

Academics

FIU FGCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 24:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Engineering (5%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

FIU FGCU
Graduation Rate 43% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,900 $45,200
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,228 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $178 $201

Diversity

FIU FGCU
% Men 43% 42%
% Women 57% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 9% 66%
% Black 12% 7%
% Hispanic 67% 19%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

FIU FGCU
% In-State 94% 75%
% Out-of-State 4% 22%

Campus

FIU FGCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Florida International University is larger than than FGCU based on total student enrollment (55,609 students vs. 15,969 students)

FIU vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FIU or FGCU?

  • Florida International University is 12.6% more expensive to attend than FGCU for in-state tuition ($4,721.00 vs. $4,191.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35.1% higher at FGCU than Florida International University ($22,328.00 vs. $16,529.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida International University than FGCU ($9,881 vs. $10,834)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 18.7% lower than costs at Florida International University ($9,772 vs. $11,600)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Florida International University than Florida Gulf Coast University (89% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Florida International University students is 52.5% larger than aid received Florida Gulf Coast University ($11,087 vs. $7,268)

FIU vs. FGCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FIU or FGCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between FGCU or FIU .

  • The average SAT score at Florida International University (1090) is 9 points higher than at FGCU (1081)
  • Incoming FIU students have at the same average ACT score (24) as students at FGCU (24)
  • Accepted freshman FIU students have at the same average high school GPA (4.0) as students at FGCU (4.0)
  • FGCU has a higher acceptance rate (74.4%) than FIU (63.9%)

FIU vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, FIU or FGCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between FGCU and FIU.

  • The graduation rate at FGCU is higher than Florida International University (45% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Florida International University earn on average $4,700 more per year than FGCU graduates after ten years. ($49,900 vs. $45,200)
  • Florida International University students graduate with a $2,272 lower median federal student loan debt than FGCU graduates. ($17,228 vs. $19,500)
  • FIU graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than FGCU graduates. ($178 vs. $201)
  • More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/