Northwest vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO 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 Northwest based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 9,152 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northwest Missouri 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: Northwest Missouri State University 16:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

Northwest vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest 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 Northwest ($12,863 vs. $16,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 9.6% lower than at Northwest Missouri State University ($11,107 vs. $12,282).
• Northwest Missouri State University is 73.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $4,493 more per year; $10,611.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.2% higher at FGCU than at Northwest Missouri State University (about $7,838 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Missouri State University than at Florida Gulf Coast University (95% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students is 6.9% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($9,101 vs. $8,515).

Northwest vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwest 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 Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Gulf Coast University (1120) is 40 points higher than at Northwest (1080).
• Incoming FGCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Missouri State University 19/24; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwest - Test optional; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Northwest (3.45).
• Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than FGCU (63.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Northwest vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

Northwest vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest 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).

• Northwest Missouri State University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Florida Gulf Coast University's (45%).
• Graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida Gulf Coast University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Northwest graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, FGCU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More Northwest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FGCU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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.