Bethune-Cookman vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, 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 Bethune-Cookman based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 2,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bethune-Cookman vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethune-Cookman 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 Bethune Cookman University than FGCU ($12,476 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethune Cookman University are 6.4% lower than at Florida Gulf Coast University ($10,396 vs. $11,107).
• Bethune Cookman University is 141.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $8,676 more per year; $14,794.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.1% higher at FGCU than at Bethune Cookman University (about $10,368 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $14,794.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethune Cookman University than at Florida Gulf Coast University (98% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethune Cookman University students is 101.8% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($17,181 vs. $8,515).

Bethune-Cookman vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethune-Cookman 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 Bethune-Cookman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Gulf Coast University (1120) is 210 points higher than at Bethune-Cookman (910).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethune Cookman University 830/990; Florida 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: Bethune-Cookman - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); FGCU - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Bethune-Cookman (3.3).
• Bethune-Cookman has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than FGCU (63.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at Bethune-Cookman vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

Bethune-Cookman vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethune-Cookman 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).

• Florida Gulf Coast University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Bethune Cookman University's (37%).
• Graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than Bethune-Cookman graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Gulf Coast University graduates have a $16,485 lower median loan debt than Bethune-Cookman graduates ($19,500 vs. $35,985).
• Among borrowers, FGCU graduates have an estimated $171 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethune-Cookman graduates ($201 vs. $372).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethune-Cookman students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 20%)

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.