McNeese vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA 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 McNeese based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• McNeese State 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: McNeese State University 20:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

McNeese vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese 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 McNeese State University than FGCU ($12,430 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 4.2% lower than at Florida Gulf Coast University ($10,644 vs. $11,107).
• McNeese State University is 38.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $2,371 more per year; $8,489.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 151.9% higher at FGCU than at McNeese State University (about $15,173 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McNeese State University than at Florida Gulf Coast University (88% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McNeese State University students is 13.3% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($9,649 vs. $8,515).

McNeese vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McNeese 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 McNeese.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Gulf Coast University (1120) is 50 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming FGCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at McNeese).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 940/1198; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• McNeese has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than FGCU (63.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

McNeese vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese 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 McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than McNeese graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Gulf Coast University graduates have a $738 lower median loan debt than McNeese graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,238).
• Among borrowers, FGCU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McNeese graduates ($201 vs. $209).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 49%)

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.