Northwest Florida State College vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, FL 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 Northwest Florida State College based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 4,752 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Florida State College is located in Niceville, FL (Midsize Suburban setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northwest Florida State 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: Northwest Florida State College 22:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

Northwest Florida State College vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest Florida State College 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 Northwest Florida State College than FGCU ($6,250 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Florida State College are 14.9% lower than at Florida Gulf Coast University ($9,450 vs. $11,107).
• Florida Gulf Coast University is 136.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest Florida State College (about $3,535 more per year; $6,118.00 vs. $2,583.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.1% higher at FGCU than at Northwest Florida State College (about $14,550 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $10,612.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Florida State College than at Florida Gulf Coast University (64% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students is 14.2% larger than aid received by Northwest Florida State College students ($8,515 vs. $7,458).

Northwest Florida State College vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

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

• Northwest Florida State 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: Northwest Florida State College - Open admission; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.

Northwest Florida State College vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest Florida State College 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 $12,800 more per year than Northwest Florida State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $32,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest Florida State College graduates have a $15,130 lower median loan debt than FGCU graduates ($4,370 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Northwest Florida State College graduates have an estimated $156 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FGCU graduates ($45 vs. $201).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest Florida State College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 46%)

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.