HCC vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

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

Hillsborough Community College is larger than FGCU based on total student enrollment (21,483 students vs. 16,612 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hillsborough Community College is located in Tampa, FL (Large City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Hillsborough Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hillsborough Community College 23:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

HCC vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HCC 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 Hillsborough Community College than FGCU ($3,333 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 13.1% lower than at Hillsborough Community College ($11,107 vs. $12,780).
• Florida Gulf Coast University is 144.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than HCC (about $3,612 more per year; $6,118.00 vs. $2,506.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 176.2% higher at FGCU than at Hillsborough Community College (about $16,051 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $9,111.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hillsborough Community College than at Florida Gulf Coast University (63% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students is 25.3% larger than aid received by Hillsborough Community College students ($8,515 vs. $6,797).

HCC vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HCC 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 HCC.

• Hillsborough Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFlorida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFlorida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HCC - Open admission; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.

HCC vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HCC 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).

• Graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than HCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hillsborough Community College graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than FGCU graduates ($9,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, HCC graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FGCU graduates ($98 vs. $201).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HCC students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 34%)

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.