Florida Southern College vs Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Southern College is a private college in Lakeland, FL. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public university in Fort Myers, FL. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants and Florida Southern College about 64%, making Florida Gulf Coast University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $12,568 a year at Florida Gulf Coast University after aid, and about $28,551 at Florida Southern College. About 70% of students graduate at Florida Southern College, compared with 57% at Florida Gulf Coast University. Ten years after enrolling, Florida Southern College alumni earn a median of about $55,294, against $54,560 for Florida Gulf Coast University.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Lakeland, FL
Fort Myers, FL
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,656
13,874
Acceptance rate
64%
63%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.49–3.99
3.45–3.95
SAT (middle 50%)
1150–1330
1040–1200
ACT (middle 50%)
25–30
20–25
Test policy
Considered
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$28,551
$12,568
Full cost / yr
$60,768
$20,807
In-state tuition
$44,040
$6,118
Out-of-state tuition
$44,040
$25,162
Application fee
$0
$30
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$23,624
$8,220
$30k - $48k
$21,385
$8,191
$48k - $75k
$25,830
$10,999
$75k - $110k
$29,044
$15,450
Over $110k
$33,706
$18,829
Outcomes
Graduation rate
70%
57%
Freshman retention
80%
83%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$47,749
$45,029
Median earnings (10 yr)
$55,294
$54,560
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$17,622
Student body
Pell grant recipients
28%
28%
First-generation students
28%
36%
International students
3%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 1
Regular decision
Mar 1
Mar 1
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Florida Southern College or Florida Gulf Coast University harder to get into?
- Florida Gulf Coast University is harder to get into. It admits about 63% of applicants, compared with 64% at Florida Southern College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Florida Southern College or Florida Gulf Coast University?
- Florida Gulf Coast University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,568 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $28,551 at Florida Southern College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Florida Southern College and Florida Gulf Coast University?
- Before aid, Florida Gulf Coast University costs about $20,807 a year and Florida Southern College about $60,768. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Florida Southern College or Florida Gulf Coast University?
- Florida Gulf Coast University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,220 there, against about $23,624 at Florida Southern College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Florida Southern College or Florida Gulf Coast University?
- Florida Gulf Coast University is the larger of the two, with about 13,874 undergraduates against 2,656 at Florida Southern College.
- Does Florida Southern College or Florida Gulf Coast University have a better graduation rate?
- Florida Southern College has the higher graduation rate, at about 70% against 57% at Florida Gulf Coast University.
- Do graduates of Florida Southern College or Florida Gulf Coast University earn more?
- Florida Southern College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $55,294 ten years after enrolling, against about $54,560 for Florida Gulf Coast University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Florida Southern College and Florida Gulf Coast University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Florida Southern College considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Florida Gulf Coast University requires SAT or ACT scores.
- What SAT scores do Florida Southern College and Florida Gulf Coast University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1150–1330 at Florida Southern College and 1040–1200 at Florida Gulf Coast University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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