UT vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Tampa in Tampa, 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 UT based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 11,433 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Tampa is located in Tampa, FL (Large City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• The University of Tampa is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tampa 17:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

UT vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UT 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 UT ($12,863 vs. $35,679).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 24% lower than at The University of Tampa ($11,107 vs. $14,612).
• The University of Tampa is 462.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $28,290 more per year; $34,408.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.7% higher at UT than at Florida Gulf Coast University (about $9,246 more per year; $34,408.00 vs. $25,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tampa than at Florida Gulf Coast University (90% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tampa students is 87.3% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($15,945 vs. $8,515).

UT vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UT 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 UT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tampa (1160) is 40 points higher than at FGCU (1120).
• Incoming UT students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at FGCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tampa 1070/1240; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tampa 23/28; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UT - Test optional; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UT (3.5).
• FGCU has a higher acceptance rate (63.4%) than UT (40.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.6% at UT vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

UT vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UT 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).

• The University of Tampa's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Florida Gulf Coast University's (45%).
• Graduates from The University of Tampa earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than FGCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Gulf Coast University graduates have a $6,057 lower median loan debt than UT graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,557).
• Among borrowers, FGCU graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UT graduates ($201 vs. $264).
• More UT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FGCU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 59%)

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.