Naples Daily News · Oct 12, 2026
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL · Public · 13,874 undergraduates
View all rankings (17)
Ranks compare the colleges included in each category. Changes below refer to the last 30 days. How rankings work
College Index#284 / 1,219Top Salaries#697 / 1,208Best Value#181 / 1,187Most Affordable#143 / 1,211Academic Excellence#490 / 1,205Best Athletics#331 / 1,219Best Social Life#188 / 1,111Most Diverse#402 / 1,219Most Buzzy#396 / 1,191Safest Campuses#249 / 1,191Best Weather#234 / 1,219Highest Graduation Rates#647 / 1,185Lowest Student Debt#166 / 1,205Best Retention#477 / 1,202Best for First-Gen Students#400 / 1,165Best Public Universities#134 / 530Higher-Admit, High-Value Colleges#737 / 1,027
At a glance — A mid-size public school in Fort Myers, FL.
Admissions & student progress
See the reported academic profile and how students progress through college.
Graduation & retention
Graduation rate56.7%
Graduation rateHigher than ~46%
Median 59.1% · 1,185 reporting colleges. Show comparison details for Graduation rate
Middle 50%: 47.4%–70.7%
Compared with colleges with reported data in College Index. Percentiles are rounded and split tied values evenly.
The dot marks this college, the line marks the median, and the shaded band shows the middle 50%. The axis covers the 10th–90th percentiles; values beyond it appear at the edges.
First-year retention83.2%
Retention rateHigher than ~68%
Median 77.9% · 1,202 reporting colleges. Show comparison details for Retention rate
Middle 50%: 70.9%–85.2%
Compared with colleges with reported data in College Index. Percentiles are rounded and split tied values evenly.
The dot marks this college, the line marks the median, and the shaded band shows the middle 50%. The axis covers the 10th–90th percentiles; values beyond it appear at the edges.
Retention tracks full-time, first-time students returning for a second year. Graduation describes the source’s entering cohort; its completion window is not recorded in this published snapshot.
Reported test-score averages
SAT average 1114
SAT averageHigher than ~31%
Median 1184 · 843 reporting colleges. Show comparison details for SAT average
Middle 50%: 1090–1287
Compared with colleges with reported data in College Index. Percentiles are rounded and split tied values evenly.
The dot marks this college, the line marks the median, and the shaded band shows the middle 50%. The axis covers the 10th–90th percentiles; values beyond it appear at the edges.
ACT midpoint 22
ACT midpointHigher than ~25%
Median 24 · 768 reporting colleges. Show comparison details for ACT midpoint
Middle 50%: 22–28
Compared with colleges with reported data in College Index. Percentiles are rounded and split tied values evenly.
The dot marks this college, the line marks the median, and the shaded band shows the middle 50%. The axis covers the 10th–90th percentiles; values beyond it appear at the edges.
Scores describe students who submitted tests. Test-optional policies and reporting coverage can affect comparisons.
Source: College Scorecard institution data. Measurement period: not recorded in the published data. Site data refresh: 2026-08-30. Source dates & coverage
Cost & Aid
Start with annual costs, then estimate how grants and scholarships could change what your family pays.
Annual tuition & fees
$6,118
In-state · Per academic year, before aid
Housing, meals, books, and other living expenses are additional.
Annual net cost after aid
$12,568
Historical average per academic year · In-state students
Includes tuition and living costs, minus grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time undergraduates receiving federal aid.
This in-state average stays the same when you switch tuition residency. Out-of-state aid and net costs can differ.
Estimate your family's cost
Your household income, assets, residency, and aid eligibility affect your price. Use the school's calculator for a personal estimate.
Opens this school's federal College Navigator record, which lists its calculator link. You can also visit the school's website.
Median federal debt at graduation
$17,622
Total accumulated debt among graduates who borrowed federal student loans. Excludes private and parent loans.
Students receiving Pell Grants
27.9%
Share of undergraduates receiving this need-based federal grant.
Annual net costLower than ~84%
Median $20k · 1,195 reporting colleges. Show comparison details for Annual net cost
Middle 50%: $14,471–$26,504
Compared with colleges with reported data in College Index. Percentiles are rounded and split tied values evenly.
The dot marks this college, the line marks the median, and the shaded band shows the middle 50%. The axis covers the 10th–90th percentiles; values beyond it appear at the edges.
Total federal debtLower than ~86%
Median $23k · 1,205 reporting colleges. Show comparison details for Total federal debt
Middle 50%: $19,750–$25,439
Compared with colleges with reported data in College Index. Percentiles are rounded and split tied values evenly.
The dot marks this college, the line marks the median, and the shaded band shows the middle 50%. The axis covers the 10th–90th percentiles; values beyond it appear at the edges.
Earnings-to-net-price ratio: 4.3×. Compares annual earnings 10 years after enrollment with one year of net cost; it does not measure lifetime return.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Reporting years are unavailable for these imported figures and may differ by measure.
Source retrieved: 2026-07-15 · Site data refresh: 2026-08-30. These dates are separate from the years measured.
Majors & outcomes
Explore fields of study alongside school-wide earnings.
Popular majors
Explore all majors →Select a major to explore other colleges offering it. Shares are of the 949 completions across these 5 listed majors, not all degrees awarded by this college.
- Psychology, General294 completions · 31.0% of listed
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General267 completions · 28.1% of listed
- Business Administration, Management and Operations182 completions · 19.2% of listed
- Communication and Media Studies152 completions · 16.0% of listed
- Hospitality Administration/Management54 completions · 5.7% of listed
Gender breakdown by major
Reported male/female shares from IPEDS bachelor's completions, first majors (2023-24). Shares use the reported gender counts, which can differ in coverage or year from the completion totals above.
- Psychology, General20.1% male · 79.9% female
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General45.3% male · 54.7% female
- Business Administration, Management and Operations62.1% male · 37.9% female
- Communication and Media Studies30.9% male · 69.1% female
- Hospitality Administration/Management51.9% male · 48.1% female
Completions: IPEDS 2023-24 where available; otherwise College Scorecard program data (reporting year unavailable). This is a selection of popular bachelor's majors, not the full program catalog.
Earnings after enrollment
- 6 years after enrollment
- $45,029
- 10 years after enrollment
- $54,560
Median annual earnings
Median annual earnings
10-year median earningsHigher than ~44%
Median $56k · 1,203 reporting colleges. Show comparison details for 10-year median earnings
Middle 50%: $48,449–$64,997
Compared with colleges with reported data in College Index. Percentiles are rounded and split tied values evenly.
The dot marks this college, the line marks the median, and the shaded band shows the middle 50%. The axis covers the 10th–90th percentiles; values beyond it appear at the edges.
School-wide outcomes for federally aided students who are working and not enrolled at the measurement date, including students who did not graduate. These are not program-specific earnings or starting salaries.
Source: College Scorecard institution data. Measurement period: not recorded in the published data. Site data refresh: 2026-08-30. Source dates & coverage
Trends over time
See how published rankings and reported outcomes change across available observations.
Ending Aug 30, 2026
Up 3 places, from #287 to #284 (Mar 14, 2026 to Aug 30, 2026).
Florida Gulf Coast University
Hover, tap, or focus a point to see the exact date and value.
View data table (10 dates)
| Publication date | Florida Gulf Coast University |
|---|---|
| Mar 14, 2026 | #287 |
| Jun 29, 2026 | #285 |
| Jul 9, 2026 | #284 |
| Jul 15, 2026 | #284 |
| Jul 26, 2026 | #284 |
| Aug 2, 2026 | #284 |
| Aug 9, 2026 | #284 |
| Aug 16, 2026 | #284 |
| Aug 23, 2026 | #284 |
| Aug 30, 2026 | #284 |
Source: archived College Index editions, dated by publication. Changes in methodology or the colleges included can move a rank. The lines show recorded ranks, not changes in school quality. Sources & methodology
Campus life
Explore the community, surroundings, and activities that shape everyday life.
Student community
13,874 undergraduate students
- Men
- 43.3%
- Women
- 56.7%
35.9% first-generation students in the reported cohort
Race & ethnicity
- White
- 50.1%
- Black
- 4.4%
- Hispanic
- 25.8%
- Asian
- 1.8%
- Other / unclassified
- 12.8%
Source: College Scorecard institution data. Measurement period: not recorded in the published data. Site data refresh: 2026-08-30. Source dates & coverage
Reported campus safety
18.38 reported incidents per 1,000 students
On-campus reports include offenses, arrests, and disciplinary referrals. Reporting practices affect comparisons.
Incident breakdown & score definition
- Violent offenses / VAWA reports
- 28
- Property offenses
- 68
- Drug, alcohol & weapons reports
- 159
Counts are the pipeline’s rounded annual averages over up to three survey years; specific years are not recorded in this published snapshot. The incident rate divides the combined count by reported undergraduate enrollment.
95.8 / 100
The safety index scales reported incidents per student against other included colleges. Higher scores mean a lower relative reported rate; they do not establish that a campus is safe or predict individual risk.
Source: Campus Safety and Security Survey. Measurement period: not recorded in the published data. Site data refresh: 2026-08-30. Source dates & coverage
Compare reported safety measuresCampus weather
Hot and sunny, rainy
- Average temperature
- 74°F
- Sunny days
- 252
- Rainfall
- 55 in
- Snowfall
- 0 in
- Relative humidity
- 74%
September–May
Per year
Per year
Per year
Average
Climate baseline & score
71.3 / 100
The weather score reflects preferences for mild temperatures and sunshine. These climate averages describe long-term conditions, not a current forecast.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals. Measurement period: 1991-2020 normals. Source dates & coverage
Athletics
27.2 / 100
Athletics details & score definition
A published composite of championship history, institutional characteristics, and available athletics and interest measures. It does not measure the experience of an individual athlete or access to a team.
Financial and sports-count details are unavailable from an approved athletics source. Legacy estimates are omitted.
Athletics ranking & methodologyRecent news (5)
Gulf Coast News and Weather · Jul 9, 2026
The News-Press · Sep 21, 2026
WGCU · Aug 14, 2026
FGCU Athletics · Jul 2, 2026
Source: Google News. Headlines link to external publishers.
Similar Schools
These colleges have the closest mix of available scores across academics, value, outcomes, and campus life. Cost and admission-rate differences below are relative to Florida Gulf Coast University.
University of Nevada-Reno
Reno, NV · Public
Closest score matches: safety (less than 1 point apart) and academics (1 point apart).
- Avg net price / year
- $15,927
- $3,359 more per year
- Admission rate
- 73.7%
- 10.3 percentage points higher
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL · Public
Closest score matches: social life (less than 1 point apart) and safety (less than 1 point apart).
- Avg net price / year
- $10,154
- $2,414 less per year
- Admission rate
- 53.2%
- 10.2 percentage points lower
University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL · Public
Closest score matches: weather (less than 1 point apart) and social life (3 points apart).
- Avg net price / year
- $9,364
- $3,204 less per year
- Admission rate
- 58.2%
- 5.2 percentage points lower
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC · Public
Closest score matches: safety (less than 1 point apart) and athletics (2 points apart).
- Avg net price / year
- $15,435
- $2,867 more per year
- Admission rate
- 79.6%
- 16.2 percentage points higher
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL · Public
Closest score matches: social life (less than 1 point apart) and earnings (1 point apart).
- Avg net price / year
- $8,752
- $3,816 less per year
- Admission rate
- 66.1%
- 2.7 percentage points higher
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC · Public
Closest score matches: athletics (less than 1 point apart) and earnings (less than 1 point apart).
- Avg net price / year
- $15,739
- $3,171 more per year
- Admission rate
- 89.2%
- 25.8 percentage points higher
Net prices are historical averages after grants and scholarships; your offer may differ. Admission rates describe past applicants and do not predict your chances.
Social life
40.9 / 100
A campus-life estimate using institutional characteristics and available interest signals.
What this score measures
Inputs can include student population, admission rate, campus setting, climate, and party or Greek-life search interest. This is a proxy score, not a student satisfaction survey or a count of clubs and activities.
The current source policy excludes legacy simulated search-interest data. Published scores may come from an earlier snapshot; no raw search-interest figures are shown here.
Social life ranking & methodology