Florida Gulf Coast University
#1 Most Affordable MBA Programs- Graduation Rate
- 57% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,560 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $12,568 B-
- 27% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 63% B
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 27.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $27.6 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Most Affordable MBA Programs.
Every $1 spent returns $27.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,335,333.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 34% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $27.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Florida Gulf Coast University Matters
Florida Gulf Coast University is a public doctoral / professional university in Fort Myers, FL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 13,874
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Humanities, Psychology
Why students choose Florida Gulf Coast University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 63% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1040–1200. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,568 a year after grants and scholarships — 27% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,560 ten years after enrolling — 34% above the typical college, against $17,622 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 32% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.49 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 14,000 students, Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida, is a solid choice for those interested in practical fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Psychology. The acceptance rate of 63% indicates that while the school is accessible, it still attracts a diverse group of students who are looking for a supportive academic environment. The focus here is on preparing students for real-world challenges, making it a good fit for individuals who value both education and community engagement.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $54,560 within ten years. This figure suggests that a degree from FGCU can lead to stable job opportunities, particularly in fields like Health Professions and Criminal Justice. The affordability factor is significant, with a net price of $12,568 after financial aid. It's encouraging that 28% of the student body receives Pell Grants, which helps lower-income students access education and pursue upward mobility.
When we look at the financial realities, the median debt of about $17,622 is manageable for many graduates, especially given the potential earnings. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are proactive about utilizing campus resources and engaging in the local community. Overall, FGCU presents a practical option for students seeking a balanced college experience that prioritizes both academic and career success.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Florida Gulf Coast University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Florida Gulf Coast University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Fort Myers, Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 63% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,114. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 63%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- SAT Average
- 1114
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 1040–1200
- ACT Range
- 20–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 67%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,789
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.68
- First-Gen Students
- 36%
- Applicants
- 15,657
- Admitted
- 11,647
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Florida Gulf Coast University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 21% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 21%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 79%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 45%
- of enrolled freshmen
There is an early lane. Florida offers Early Action, so you can apply ahead of the regular deadline and hear back sooner without committing to enroll.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Florida Gulf Coast University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Florida Gulf Coast University is $25,162, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,568. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,220 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,622 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,118
- Out-of-State
- $25,162
- Avg Net Price
- $12,568
- Median Debt
- $17,622
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 25%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,220
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,191
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,999
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,829
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Florida Gulf Coast University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Florida Gulf Coast University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $54,560, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,029
- 8 Years
- $49,680
- 10 Years
- $54,560
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.32x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (780)
- 29%
- 100% (780)
- 29%
- 100% (780)
- 29%
- 100% (780)
- 29%
How Florida Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Florida Gulf Coast University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Florida Gulf Coast University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,568/year ($50,272 total). Graduates earn $54,560 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,385,605 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,335,333 (27.6× your investment). The median debt is $17,622, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 57% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $50,272
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,385,605
- Net Return
- $1,335,333
- ROI Multiple
- 27.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,568
- Median Debt
- $17,622
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Florida Gulf Coast University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Florida Gulf Coast University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.88%, well above the typical college. About 8.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $78,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.88%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 22.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $107,197
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,147,484
Top Programs
The fields Florida Gulf Coast University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 23% $56,463 early-career
- Health Professions 11% $74,154 early-career
- Humanities 10% $26,820 early-career
- Psychology 9% $35,741 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $41,191 early-career
- Education 4% $53,273 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $32,138 early-career
- Engineering 4% $70,961 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Florida Gulf Coast University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Florida Gulf Coast University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Fort Myers, Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 63% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,114. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Florida Gulf Coast University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Florida Gulf Coast University is $25,162, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,568. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,220 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,622 in federal student loans.
Is Florida Gulf Coast University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $54,560, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Florida Gulf Coast University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Florida Gulf Coast University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.88%, well above the typical college. About 8.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $78,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Florida Gulf Coast University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Florida Gulf Coast University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Florida Gulf Coast University offer Early Decision?
No. Florida Gulf Coast University does not report a binding Early Decision plan, though it does offer a non-binding Early Action option (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Florida Gulf Coast University really test-optional?
Florida Gulf Coast University reports test-optional admission, but most enrolled students still submit scores: about 1% of first-year students sent an SAT or ACT (2024-25 Common Data Set). Submitting strong scores is the norm here.
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Florida Gulf Coast University?
About 21% of admitted students choose to enroll at Florida Gulf Coast University — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Florida Gulf Coast University.
- Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · Close peer54% grad $55,198 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of North FloridaJacksonville, FL · Close peer69% grad $56,343 earn 53% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · same state
- Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL · Close peer49% grad $57,808 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI · Close peer58% grad $53,493 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY · Close peer61% grad $53,899 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Nevada-RenoReno, NV · Close peer62% grad $60,614 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Florida Gulf Coast University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Florida Gulf Coast University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note