FAU vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL with Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida Atlantic University is larger than FGCU based on total student enrollment (31,607 students vs. 16,612 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

FAU vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU 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 Atlantic University than FGCU ($10,225 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 30% lower than at Florida Atlantic University ($11,107 vs. $15,860).
• Florida Gulf Coast University is 25.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than FAU (about $1,239 more per year; $6,118.00 vs. $4,879.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.2% higher at FGCU than at Florida Atlantic University (about $7,838 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Atlantic University than at Florida Gulf Coast University (86% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 27.5% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($10,857 vs. $8,515).

FAU vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FAU 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 FAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Atlantic University (1120) is the same as at FGCU (1120).
• Incoming FAU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at FGCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 1040/1200; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 21/26; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FAU - Required; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027; FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at FAU (3.74).
• FAU has a higher acceptance rate (66.1%) than FGCU (63.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at FAU vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

FAU vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU 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 Florida Atlantic University's (43%).
• Graduates from Florida Atlantic University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than FGCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Atlantic University graduates have a $2,639 lower median loan debt than FGCU graduates ($16,861 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, FAU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FGCU graduates ($174 vs. $201).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FAU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 54%)

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.