Seminole State vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Seminole State College of Florida in Sanford, 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 Seminole State based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 15,390 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Seminole State College of Florida is located in Sanford, FL (Small City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Seminole State College of Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Seminole State College of Florida 29:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

Seminole State vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Seminole State 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 Seminole State College of Florida than FGCU ($8,448 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 56.3% lower than at Seminole State College of Florida ($11,107 vs. $25,391).
• Florida Gulf Coast University is 96% more expensive for in-state tuition than Seminole State (about $2,996 more per year; $6,118.00 vs. $3,122.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.8% higher at FGCU than at Seminole State College of Florida (about $13,715 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $11,447.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seminole State College of Florida than at Florida Gulf Coast University (64% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students is 46.7% larger than aid received by Seminole State College of Florida students ($8,515 vs. $5,803).

Seminole State vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Seminole State 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 Seminole State.

• Seminole State College of Florida reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresFlorida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresFlorida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Seminole State - Open admission; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.

Seminole State vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Seminole State 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 is 45%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Seminole State.
• Graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Seminole State graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Seminole State College of Florida graduates have a $9,473 lower median loan debt than FGCU graduates ($10,027 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Seminole State graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FGCU graduates ($103 vs. $201).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Seminole State students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 31%)

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.