Florida Gulf Coast University
#1 Most Affordable MBA ProgramsBottom 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.
Quick Degree Finder
Find an Accredited Program
Accepting applicants in this field now.
Results are sponsored program matches from BestColleges, our advertising partner. Privacy Terms
What The Data Says
A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
Earnings 34% above the national college median.
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 admits a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate of roughly 63%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,114. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 57%.
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
When weighing the true cost of attending Florida Gulf Coast University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $25,162 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $12,568 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,220 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $17,622.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
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 national averages for graduates.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
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.
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 useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Florida Gulf Coast University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
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.
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 admits a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate of roughly 63%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,114. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 57%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Florida Gulf Coast University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending Florida Gulf Coast University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $25,162 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $12,568 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,220 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $17,622.
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 national averages for 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 useful read on 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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.49 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Florida Gulf Coast University.
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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.49 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note