SCF vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota in Bradenton, 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 SCF based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 8,750 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota is located in Bradenton, FL (Large Suburban setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota 23:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

SCF vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCF 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 SCF ($12,863 vs. $22,034).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 58.4% lower than at State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota ($11,107 vs. $26,718).
• Florida Gulf Coast University is 99% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCF (about $3,044 more per year; $6,118.00 vs. $3,074.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117% higher at FGCU than at State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota (about $13,567 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $11,595.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Gulf Coast University than at State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota (62% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students is 27.7% larger than aid received by State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota students ($8,515 vs. $6,668).

SCF vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCF 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 SCF.

• State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota 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: SCF - Open admission; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.9 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at SCF (3.1).

SCF vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCF 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 $11,500 more per year than SCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota graduates have a $10,890 lower median loan debt than FGCU graduates ($8,610 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, SCF graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FGCU graduates ($89 vs. $201).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCF students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 35%)

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.