Florida Gulf Coast University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Fort Myers, Florida · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
63%
20,422 applicants
Median SAT
1110
Mid 50: 1050–1200
In-state tuition
$6,118
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$12,568
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Florida Gulf Coast University is a public university in Fort Myers, Florida that admits about 63% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $12,568 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General, Psychology, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 57% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 0.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Florida Gulf Coast University is a public institution located in Fort Myers, Florida with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Florida Gulf Coast University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 63%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1110 and an ACT composite around 22. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $12,568 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Florida Gulf Coast University?

56% of enrolled students at Florida Gulf Coast University had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.12, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
56.0%
3.75–3.99
15.0%
3.50–3.74
14.0%
3.25–3.49
9.0%
3.00–3.24
4.0%
2.50–2.99
2.0%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Florida Gulf Coast University.

What does Florida Gulf Coast University weight in admissions?

Florida Gulf Coast University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important2 factors
  • Academic GPA
  • Standardized test scores
Important1 factor
  • Class rank

SAT and ACT scores Florida Gulf Coast University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 510–590, with an EBRW midpoint near 560. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 20–25. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1050
50th percentile1110
75th percentile1200
% submitting SAT79%
ACT Composite
25th percentile20
50th percentile22
75th percentile25
% submitting ACT45%
Current testing policy
  • Tests required: Standardized test scores are part of the standard application package.
  • • Policy detail: Required

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class22%
Top 25% of class50%
Top 50% of class82%
% submitting class rank62%

How much does Florida Gulf Coast University actually cost?

Published tuition is $6,118 for in-state students and $25,162 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $11,107 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $12,568 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 28% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$4,191
Out-of-state tuition$22,328
Room and board$10,102
Average net price (after aid)$12,568
Application fee (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Florida Gulf Coast University

Regular admission
Regular deadline3/1
Reply deadline1-May
Early admission
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 1

Will my child graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University?

These predict outcomes at Florida Gulf Coast University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
83%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
57.4%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Florida Gulf Coast University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Florida Gulf Coast University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General, Psychology, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations. Across all programs, Florida Gulf Coast University confers roughly 1,541 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $49,829 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General297
Psychology, General262$49,829
Business Administration, Management and Operations239$59,492
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General198$53,523
Criminal Justice and Corrections148$53,216
Communication and Media Studies142$52,016
Biology, General142$50,861
Finance and Financial Management Services113$85,077
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Florida Gulf Coast University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Florida Gulf Coast University disclosed 3 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 0.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 2 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
3
0.2 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
1
0.07 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
2
0.14 per 1,000
Burglary
0
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 13,874 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Florida Gulf Coast University?

About 35% of undergraduates at Florida Gulf Coast University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 9% of men join a fraternity and 11% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
35%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
9%
of men
In sororities
11%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Florida Gulf Coast University.

Other colleges in Florida parents ask about

Next steps for Florida Gulf Coast University

Common questions parents ask about Florida Gulf Coast University

What GPA do I need for Florida Gulf Coast University?

56% of enrolled students at Florida Gulf Coast University had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.12, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Florida Gulf Coast University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 510–590, with an EBRW midpoint near 560. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 20–25.

How much does Florida Gulf Coast University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Florida Gulf Coast University after grants and scholarships is $12,568 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $6,118 and $25,162 out of state. Budget against the net figure.

Is Florida Gulf Coast University realistic for my child?

Florida Gulf Coast University admits 63% of applicants, so 510–590 SAT Math is target range and below 510 is a reach. Then check the $12,568 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Florida Gulf Coast University?

Florida Gulf Coast University accepts about 63% of applicants out of roughly 20,422 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is Florida Gulf Coast University test-optional?

No. Florida Gulf Coast University requires SAT or ACT scores as part of a standard application.

What is the graduation rate at Florida Gulf Coast University?

About 57% of students at Florida Gulf Coast University graduate within six years. 83% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does Florida Gulf Coast University look for in applicants?

Florida Gulf Coast University rates GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Florida Gulf Coast University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Florida Gulf Coast University is a public institution located in Fort Myers, Florida.

What are the most popular majors at Florida Gulf Coast University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Florida Gulf Coast University by annual graduates are Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General, Psychology, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations. The school awards about 1,541 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Florida Gulf Coast University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Florida Gulf Coast University reported 3 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 0.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Florida Gulf Coast University?

At Florida Gulf Coast University, 35% of undergraduates live on campus, 9% of men are in fraternities, 11% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Florida Gulf Coast University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers