JU vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, 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 JU based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 4,247 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Jacksonville University is located in Jacksonville, FL (Large City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Jacksonville 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: Jacksonville University 11:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

JU vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JU 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 Gulf Coast University than JU ($12,863 vs. $24,238).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 35.5% lower than at Jacksonville University ($11,107 vs. $17,210).
• Jacksonville University is 681.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $41,712 more per year; $47,830.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.1% higher at JU than at Florida Gulf Coast University (about $22,668 more per year; $47,830.00 vs. $25,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Jacksonville University than at Florida Gulf Coast University (100% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Jacksonville University students is 368.1% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($39,859 vs. $8,515).

JU vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JU or FGCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between FGCU and JU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Jacksonville University (1190) is 70 points higher than at FGCU (1120).
• Incoming JU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 22 at FGCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Jacksonville University 1100/1280; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Jacksonville University 22/27; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JU - Test optional; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman FGCU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at JU (3.61).
• FGCU has a higher acceptance rate (63.4%) than JU (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at JU vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

JU vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JU and FGCU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Florida Gulf Coast University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Jacksonville University's (40%).
• Graduates from Jacksonville University earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than FGCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,800 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Gulf Coast University graduates have a $3,121 lower median loan debt than JU graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,621).
• Among borrowers, FGCU graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JU graduates ($201 vs. $233).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JU 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.