USF Main Campus vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Florida in Tampa, 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 South Florida is larger than FGCU based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 16,612 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Florida is located in Tampa, FL (Large City setting); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of South 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 South Florida 22:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

USF Main Campus vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF Main Campus 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 South Florida than FGCU ($11,579 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 23.1% lower than at University of South Florida ($11,107 vs. $14,440).
• University of South Florida is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than FGCU (about $292 more per year; $6,410.00 vs. $6,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.2% higher at FGCU than at University of South Florida (about $7,838 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Florida than at Florida Gulf Coast University (83% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida students is 25.1% larger than aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students ($10,652 vs. $8,515).

USF Main Campus vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USF Main Campus 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 USF Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Florida (1230) is 110 points higher than at FGCU (1120).
• Incoming USF Main Campus students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at FGCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 1130/1320; Florida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 24/29; Florida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF Main Campus - Required; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus 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 USF Main Campus (3.64).
• FGCU has a higher acceptance rate (63.4%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at USF Main Campus vs. 20.9% at FGCU.

USF Main Campus vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF Main Campus 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 South Florida's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Florida Gulf Coast University's (45%).
• Graduates from University of South Florida earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than FGCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $353 lower median loan debt than FGCU graduates ($19,147 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FGCU graduates ($197 vs. $201).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 57%)

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.