Florida Gulf Coast University

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Fort Myers, FL
  • 3.0 3 reviews
#9 Best Public Universities in Florida

Overview

Total enrollment

16,612
Florida Gulf Coast University overview
Florida Gulf Coast University overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), established in 1991, is situated on a 800-acre campus in Fort Myers, Florida, approximately two hours south of Tampa on Florida's Gulf Coast. The campus features modern architecture integrated with preserved wetlands and natural areas, reflecting the institution's commitment to environmental sustainability. FGCU operates as a public university within the State University System of Florida, offering undergraduate and graduate programs with particular strengths in environmental studies, business, health professions, and hospitality management. The university maintains a residential campus with multiple student housing options, and gained national recognition during the 2013 NCAA basketball tournament when its men's team became the first 15-seed to advance to the Sweet Sixteen, earning the nickname "Dunk City." Most academic buildings and student facilities are centered around the university's main campus core, which features several lakes and extensive boardwalk systems connecting various areas of campus.

Ratings

FGCU is rated within the lower 41% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    5 out of 10
  • Academics
    5 out of 10
  • Resources
    3 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    6 out of 10
  • Value
    4 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Easy
Florida Gulf Coast University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1040/1200
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 20/25
  • GPA 4.0

Acceptance Rate

63.4%
Florida Gulf Coast University applications overview
  • Applications Due Nov 1, 2026
  • Enrollment Rate 20.9%
  • Application Fee $30

Applicant Competition Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Annual Cost to Attend

Florida Resident Tuition

$6,118

Out of State Resident Tuition

$25,162

Breakdown

In State Costs for Florida Gulf Coast University
  • Tuition $6,118
  • Books and Supplies $1,200
  • Other Fees $1,927
  • Room and Board $11,107
  • Budget for Other Expenses $5,558
  • Total One Year Cost $25,910

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$45,200 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

45% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Florida Gulf Coast University are Business, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Education. 25% of students major in Business, 14% in Liberal Arts and Humanities, and 9% in Education.

  • Business 25%
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities 14%
  • Education 9%
  • Communication 8%
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting 8%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Florida Gulf Coast University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=433660.

GPA calculator: Florida Gulf Coast University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026