Pensacola State vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Pensacola State College in Pensacola, 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 Pensacola State based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 9,491 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pensacola State College is located in Pensacola, FL (Small City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Pensacola 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: Pensacola State College 25:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

Pensacola State vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pensacola State 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 Pensacola State College than FGCU ($5,376 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 36.7% lower than at Pensacola State College ($11,107 vs. $17,556).
• Florida Gulf Coast University is 159.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pensacola State (about $3,757 more per year; $6,118.00 vs. $2,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 166% higher at FGCU than at Pensacola State College (about $15,702 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $9,460.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pensacola State College than at Florida Gulf Coast University (80% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students is 31% larger than aid received by Pensacola State College students ($8,515 vs. $6,499).

Pensacola State vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pensacola State 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 Pensacola State.

• Pensacola 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: Pensacola State - Open admission; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pensacola State Aug 30, 2027; FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 1.46 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Pensacola State (2.54).

Pensacola State vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pensacola State 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 $14,900 more per year than Pensacola State graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pensacola State College graduates have a $16,000 lower median loan debt than FGCU graduates ($3,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Pensacola State graduates have an estimated $165 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FGCU graduates ($36 vs. $201).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pensacola State 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.