Florida Southern vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Southern College in Lakeland, 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 Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Southern College is located in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Florida Southern 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: Florida Southern College 11:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

Florida Southern vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida Southern 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 Florida Southern ($12,863 vs. $29,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 22.7% lower than at Florida Southern College ($11,107 vs. $14,360).
• Florida Southern College is 619.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $37,922 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75% higher at Florida Southern than at Florida Gulf Coast University (about $18,878 more per year; $44,040.00 vs. $25,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College than at Florida Gulf Coast University (100% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Southern College students is 268.7% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($31,394 vs. $8,515).

Florida Southern vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida Southern 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 Florida Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Southern College (1240) is 120 points higher than at FGCU (1120).
• Incoming Florida Southern students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at FGCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 1150/1330; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Southern College 25/30; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida Southern - Test optional; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida Southern May 1, 2027; FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Florida Southern (3.73).
• Florida Southern has a higher acceptance rate (64.4%) than FGCU (63.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Florida Southern vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

Florida Southern vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida Southern 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).

• Florida Southern College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Florida Gulf Coast University's (45%).
• Graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Gulf Coast University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Florida Southern graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, FGCU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida Southern graduates ($201 vs. $248).
• More Florida Southern 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.