UCF vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than FGCU based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 16,612 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Central 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: University of Central Florida 28:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

UCF vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF 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 UCF ($12,863 vs. $13,351).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 10.8% lower than at University of Central Florida ($11,107 vs. $12,452).
• University of Central Florida is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $250 more per year; $6,368.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12% higher at FGCU than at University of Central Florida (about $2,695 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Florida than at Florida Gulf Coast University (86% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Florida students is 14% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($9,704 vs. $8,515).

UCF vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCF 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 UCF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 160 points higher than at FGCU (1120).
• Incoming UCF students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at FGCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UCF (3.64).
• FGCU has a higher acceptance rate (63.4%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

UCF vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF 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).

• University of Central Florida's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Florida Gulf Coast University's (45%).
• Graduates from University of Central Florida earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than FGCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $1,230 lower median loan debt than FGCU graduates ($18,270 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FGCU graduates ($188 vs. $201).
• More UCF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FGCU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.