UNF vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Florida in Jacksonville, 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 UNF based on total student enrollment (16,612 students vs. 16,154 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Florida is located in Jacksonville, FL (Large City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of North 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 North Florida 19:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

UNF vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNF 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 University of North Florida than FGCU ($11,135 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 6% lower than at University of North Florida ($11,107 vs. $11,810).
• University of North Florida is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $271 more per year; $6,389.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at FGCU than at University of North Florida (about $4,369 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $20,793.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Florida than at Florida Gulf Coast University (78% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Florida students is 10.1% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($9,377 vs. $8,515).

UNF vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNF 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 UNF.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of North Florida (1170) is 50 points higher than at FGCU (1120).
• Incoming UNF students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at FGCU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of North Florida 1070/1270; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of North Florida 19/25; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNF - Required; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman FGCU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UNF (3.89).
• FGCU has a higher acceptance rate (63.4%) than UNF (53.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at UNF vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

UNF vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNF 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.

• University of North Florida's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Florida Gulf Coast University's (45%).
• Graduates from University of North Florida earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than FGCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,200 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Florida graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than FGCU graduates ($16,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UNF graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FGCU graduates ($165 vs. $201).
• More UNF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FGCU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.