Palm Beach Atlantic vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, 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 Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Palm Beach Atlantic University is located in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palm Beach Atlantic 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 Palm Beach Atlantic ($12,863 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 19.5% lower than at Palm Beach Atlantic University ($11,107 vs. $13,800).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 564.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $34,532 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.6% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at Florida Gulf Coast University (about $15,488 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $25,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at Florida Gulf Coast University (100% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 164.2% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($22,493 vs. $8,515).

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palm Beach Atlantic 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 Palm Beach Atlantic.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Gulf Coast University (1120) is 30 points higher than at Palm Beach Atlantic (1090).
• Incoming Palm Beach Atlantic 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: Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Palm Beach Atlantic (3.36).
• Palm Beach Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than FGCU (63.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Palm Beach Atlantic vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palm Beach Atlantic 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).

• Palm Beach Atlantic University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Florida Gulf Coast University's (45%).
• Graduates from Palm Beach Atlantic University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than FGCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Gulf Coast University graduates have a $3,204 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, FGCU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($201 vs. $234).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palm Beach Atlantic 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.