FLC vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO 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 FLC based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 3,544 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Lewis College is located in Durango, CO (Remote Town setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Fort Lewis 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: Fort Lewis College 14:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

FLC vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FLC 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 FLC ($12,863 vs. $17,114).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 18.8% lower than at Fort Lewis College ($11,107 vs. $13,680).
• Fort Lewis College is 62.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $3,840 more per year; $9,958.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.9% higher at FGCU than at Fort Lewis College (about $3,636 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $21,526.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Lewis College than at Florida Gulf Coast University (96% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students is 28.8% larger than aid received by Fort Lewis College students ($8,515 vs. $6,610).

FLC vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FLC 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 FLC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Gulf Coast University (1120) is 10 points higher than at FLC (1110).
• Incoming FLC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at FGCU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Lewis College 1010/1210; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Lewis College 18/26; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FLC - Test optional; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FLC Aug 1, 2027; FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at FLC (3.3).
• FLC has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than FGCU (63.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at FLC vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

FLC vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FLC 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 Gulf Coast University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Fort Lewis College's (37%).
• Graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than FLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Gulf Coast University and FLC graduates have the same median loan debt ($19,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Florida Gulf Coast University and FLC graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($201 vs. $201).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FLC students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 57%)

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.