PSC vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Polk State College in Winter Haven, 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 PSC based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 10,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Polk 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: Polk State College 19:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

PSC vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC 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 Polk State College than FGCU ($10,011 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 8.9% lower than at Polk State College ($11,107 vs. $12,186).
• Florida Gulf Coast University is 127.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $3,424 more per year; $6,118.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 156.3% higher at FGCU than at Polk State College (about $15,345 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Polk State College than at Florida Gulf Coast University (72% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students is 157.6% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($8,515 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC 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 PSC.

• Polk 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: PSC - Open admission; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.

PSC vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC 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 $11,200 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than FGCU graduates ($9,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FGCU graduates ($98 vs. $201).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 40%)

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.