California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 6,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($12,863 vs. $14,090).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 21.3% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($11,107 vs. $14,118).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is 34.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $2,132 more per year; $8,250.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.7% higher at FGCU than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $4,312 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt than at Florida Gulf Coast University (66% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students is 26.2% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($10,748 vs. $8,515).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Gulf Coast University (1120) is 40 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming FGCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than FGCU (63.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have the same median loan debt ($19,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Florida Gulf Coast University and California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 56%)

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.