FGCU: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially Florida Gulf Coast University · Fort Myers, Florida · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2024-2025
- Tests required
- Early Action
- 20,422
- Applicants
- 12,956
- Admitted63%
- 2,706
- Enrolled
- 21%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Moderately selective63% admittedRanked #22 (tie) in Regional Universities South; Business Programs #301 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #106 (tie), Nursing #135 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by Florida Gulf Coast University, read on 2026-06-15.
Is FGCU a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places FGCU against it in about a minute. No account needed.
FGCU 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.
FGCU is a public institution located in Fort Myers, Florida with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, FGCU 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 FGCU?
56% of enrolled students at FGCU had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.12, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
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What does FGCU weight in admissions?
FGCU reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
Very Important
2- Academic GPA
- Standardized test scores
Important
1- Class rank
Considered
6- Rigor of secondary school record
- Application essay
- Talent/ability
- First generation status
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not Considered
9- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Character/personal qualities
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores FGCU 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.
| 25th percentile | 1050 |
| 50th percentile | 1110 |
| 75th percentile | 1200 |
| % submitting SAT | 79% |
| 25th percentile | 20 |
| 50th percentile | 22 |
| 75th percentile | 25 |
| % submitting ACT | 45% |
- • Tests required: Standardized test scores are part of the standard application package.
- • Florida public: SAT, ACT or CLT required for first-time freshmen. Only high schoolers finishing an AA degree (dual enrollment) may apply test-optional.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on FGCU's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
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 class | 22% |
| Top 25% of class | 50% |
| Top 50% of class | 82% |
| % submitting class rank | 62% |
How much does FGCU 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, and that is 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 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 50% |
| Average need-based grant | $7,547 |
| Average merit award, no financial need179 first-year students received one | $3,075 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 37% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $28,376 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | — (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for FGCU
| Regular deadline | 3/1 |
| Reply deadline | 1-May |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from FGCU?
These predict outcomes at FGCU better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at FGCU
The most popular undergraduate programs at FGCU, 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, FGCU 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
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | 297 | n/a |
| Psychology, General | 262 | $49,829 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 239 | $59,492 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 198 | $53,523 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 148 | $53,216 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 142 | $52,016 |
| Biology, General | 142 | $50,861 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 113 | $85,077 |
Is FGCU safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), FGCU 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
What is campus life like at FGCU?
About 35% of undergraduates at FGCU 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.
Other colleges in Florida parents ask about
Next steps for FGCU
Common questions parents ask about FGCU
What GPA do I need for FGCU?
56% of enrolled students at FGCU 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 FGCU 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 FGCU actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at FGCU 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 FGCU realistic for my child?
FGCU 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 FGCU?
FGCU accepts about 63% of applicants out of roughly 20,422 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is FGCU test-optional?
No. FGCU requires SAT or ACT scores for Fall 2027 applicants. Florida public: SAT, ACT or CLT required for first-time freshmen. Only high schoolers finishing an AA degree (dual enrollment) may apply test-optional.
What is the graduation rate at FGCU?
About 57% of students at FGCU graduate within six years. 83% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does FGCU look for in applicants?
FGCU 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 FGCU a public or private school, and where is it located?
FGCU is a public institution located in Fort Myers, Florida.
What are the most popular majors at FGCU?
The largest undergraduate majors at FGCU 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 FGCU safe? What is its campus crime rate?
FGCU 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 FGCU?
At FGCU, 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