Nicholls State University vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA 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 Nicholls State University based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 6,043 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nicholls State University is located in Thibodaux, LA (Small City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Nicholls 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: Nicholls State University 19:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

Nicholls State University vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nicholls State University 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 Nicholls State University than FGCU ($12,298 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 2.7% lower than at Nicholls State University ($11,107 vs. $11,412).
• Nicholls State University is 33.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $2,031 more per year; $8,149.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 172.3% higher at FGCU than at Nicholls State University (about $15,920 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $9,242.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nicholls State University than at Florida Gulf Coast University (89% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nicholls State University students is 22% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($10,392 vs. $8,515).

Nicholls State University vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nicholls State University 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 Nicholls State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Gulf Coast University (1120) is 50 points higher than at Nicholls State University (1070).
• Incoming FGCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Nicholls State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nicholls State University 934/1196; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nicholls State University 19/24; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nicholls State University - Required; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.66 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Nicholls State University (3.34).
• Nicholls State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.8%) than FGCU (63.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.4% at Nicholls State University vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

Nicholls State University vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nicholls State University 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 Nicholls State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Nicholls State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Gulf Coast University graduates have a $348 lower median loan debt than Nicholls State University graduates ($19,500 vs. $19,848).
• Among borrowers, FGCU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nicholls State University graduates ($201 vs. $205).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nicholls State University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 51%)

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.