UCF vs. FGCU

Should I go to University of Central Florida or Florida Gulf Coast University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UCF or FGCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Florida State FAU USF Main Campus FIU Florida UNF University of South Florida St. Petersburg UT Florida Tech Nova Miami Auburn
University of Central Florida vs. Florida Gulf Coast University comparison
University of Central Florida Florida Gulf Coast University College 3 College 4
University of Central Florida Florida Gulf Coast University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 UCF FGCU
Location Orlando, FL Fort Myers, FL
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 68,346 15,969
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #379 #802
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucf.edu fgcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 UCF FGCU
Tuition (In State) $4,478 $4,191
Tuition (Out of State) $19,810 $22,328
Room & Board $11,498 $9,772
Avg Net Price $13,108 $10,834
Avg Grant Aid $9,986 $7,268
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 72%

Admission

 UCF FGCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 54,977 15,657
Admitted 22,560 11,647
Acceptance Rate 41% 74.4%
Enrolled % 33.3% 24.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 4.0
Typical High School Grades B+ A/A+
Admissions Standards Difficult Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 25/29 20/25
SAT Range 1200/1360 1040/1200
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline May 1, 2024 Nov 1, 2023

Academics

 UCF FGCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 29:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (25%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Engineering (5%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

 UCF FGCU
Graduation Rate 63% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $45,200
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,270 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $188 $201

Diversity

 UCF FGCU
% Men 45% 42%
% Women 55% 58%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 53% 66%
% Black 11% 7%
% Hispanic 24% 19%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 UCF FGCU
% In-State 91% 75%
% Out-of-State 9% 22%

Campus

 UCF FGCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Florida is larger than than FGCU based on total student enrollment (68,346 students vs. 15,969 students)

UCF vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or FGCU?

  • University of Central Florida is 6.8% more expensive to attend than FGCU for in-state tuition ($4,478.00 vs. $4,191.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.7% higher at FGCU than University of Central Florida ($22,328.00 vs. $19,810.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida Gulf Coast University than UCF ($10,834 vs. $13,108)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 17.7% lower than costs at University of Central Florida ($9,772 vs. $11,498)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Florida than Florida Gulf Coast University (93% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Florida students is 37.4% larger than aid received Florida Gulf Coast University ($9,986 vs. $7,268)

UCF vs. FGCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCF or FGCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between FGCU or UCF .

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Florida (1179) is 98 points higher than at FGCU (1081)
  • Incoming UCF students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at FGCU (24)
  • 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 (74.4%) than UCF (41%)

UCF vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UCF or FGCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between FGCU and UCF.

  • The graduation rate at UCF is higher than Florida Gulf Coast University (63% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Florida earn on average $3,700 more per year than FGCU graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $45,200)
  • University of Central Florida students graduate with a $1,230 lower median federal student loan debt than FGCU graduates. ($18,270 vs. $19,500)
  • UCF graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans 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/