WMU vs. FGCU

Should I go to Western Michigan University or Florida Gulf Coast University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WMU 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.
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Western Michigan University vs. Florida Gulf Coast University comparison
Western Michigan University Florida Gulf Coast University College 3 College 4
Western Michigan University Florida Gulf Coast University
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Overview

 WMU FGCU
Location Kalamazoo, MI Fort Myers, FL
Setting Small City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 17,000 15,969
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #634 #802
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wmich.edu fgcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WMU FGCU
Tuition (In State) $14,523 $4,191
Tuition (Out of State) $18,154 $22,328
Room & Board $11,102 $9,772
Avg Net Price $20,030 $10,834
Avg Grant Aid $6,813 $7,268
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 72%

Admission

 WMU FGCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,501 15,657
Admitted 17,334 11,647
Acceptance Rate 84.6% 74.4%
Enrolled % 15.1% 24.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 4.0
Typical High School Grades B+ A/A+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/27 20/25
SAT Range 990/1220 1040/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Nov 1, 2023

Academics

 WMU FGCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

 WMU FGCU
Graduation Rate 56% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $45,200
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,633 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $275 $201

Diversity

 WMU FGCU
% Men 47% 42%
% Women 53% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 72% 66%
% Black 12% 7%
% Hispanic 5% 19%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 WMU FGCU
% In-State 79% 75%
% Out-of-State 19% 22%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Michigan University is larger than than FGCU based on total student enrollment (17,000 students vs. 15,969 students)

WMU vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU or FGCU?

  • Western Michigan University is 246.5% more expensive to attend than FGCU for in-state tuition ($14,523.00 vs. $4,191.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23% higher at FGCU than Western Michigan University ($22,328.00 vs. $18,154.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida Gulf Coast University than WMU ($10,834 vs. $20,030)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 13.6% lower than costs at Western Michigan University ($9,772 vs. $11,102)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Michigan University than Florida Gulf Coast University (93% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students is 6.7% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($7,268 vs. $6,813)

WMU vs. FGCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Florida Gulf Coast University (1081) is 51 points higher than at WMU (1030)
  • Incoming FGCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at WMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman FGCU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at WMU (3.5)
  • WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than FGCU (74.4%)

WMU vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WMU 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 WMU.

  • The graduation rate at WMU is higher than Florida Gulf Coast University (56% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $3,700 more per year than FGCU graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $45,200)
  • Florida Gulf Coast University students graduate with a $7,133 lower median federal student loan debt than WMU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $26,633)
  • FGCU graduates are paying $74 less per month on federal student loans than WMU graduates. ($201 vs. $275)
  • More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/