Florida State vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

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

Florida State University is larger than FGCU based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 16,612 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Florida State University 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 State University 17:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

Florida State vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State 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 State ($12,863 vs. $15,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 17.6% lower than at Florida State University ($11,107 vs. $13,474).
• Florida Gulf Coast University is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $462 more per year; $6,118.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.9% higher at FGCU than at Florida State University (about $6,376 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at Florida Gulf Coast University (91% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida State University students is 9% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($9,279 vs. $8,515).

Florida State vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 220 points higher than at FGCU (1120).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 22 at FGCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027; FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• FGCU has a higher acceptance rate (63.4%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

Florida State vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida State 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 State University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Florida Gulf Coast University's (45%).
• Graduates from Florida State University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than FGCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Gulf Coast University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, FGCU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($201 vs. $214).
• More Florida State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FGCU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.