Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Florida Gulf Coast University at a Glance
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a public university in Lee County, Florida, United States. Located near Fort Myers, it is part of the State University System of Florida and is its second-youngest member. The university was established on May 3, 1991, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). It offers 65 bachelor's degree programs, 27 master's degree programs, 7 doctoral degree programs, and 19 academic certificates.
1991
35 years old
$129M
$129.3 million (2022)
16,612
14,463 undergrad · 2,149 grad
568
20:1 student:faculty
800 acres
Identity
Is Florida Gulf Coast University Worth It?
Florida Gulf Coast University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $12,568/year, it's priced 38% below average, while graduates go on to earn $54,560 — 1% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Florida Gulf Coast University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #19 of 55 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #6 | CUNY Brooklyn College | 100 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| #19 | Florida Gulf Coast University | 62 | $12,568 | $54,560 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Florida Gulf Coast University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in FL.
Best Programs at Florida Gulf Coast University
The highest-earning program at Florida Gulf Coast University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $60,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at $24,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University earns $60,100, while a Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduate earns $24,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,568/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $60,100 | $60,100 | $20,500 |
| Computer Engineering | $59,800 | $59,800 | $20,611 |
| Civil Engineering | $50,900 | $50,900 | $26,873 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $44,900 | $44,900 | $16,063 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,800 | $42,800 | $18,875 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $42,100 | $42,100 | $18,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,400 | $41,400 | $21,309 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $39,300 | $39,300 | $22,375 |
| Marketing | $38,600 | $38,600 | $21,125 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $36,400 | $36,400 | $25,846 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,200 | $36,200 | $20,217 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $35,200 | $35,200 | $21,456 |
| Social Work | $34,100 | $34,100 | $21,375 |
| Political Science and Government | $33,900 | $33,900 | $22,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $33,100 | $33,100 | $24,875 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $33,000 | $33,000 | $18,150 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,700 | $32,700 | $22,189 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,900 | $31,900 | $19,500 |
| Legal Support Services | $30,100 | $30,100 | $22,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $29,700 | $29,700 | $23,739 |
| Psychology, General | $29,000 | $29,000 | $20,584 |
| Sociology | $29,000 | $29,000 | $20,500 |
| Public Health | $27,600 | $27,600 | $13,427 |
| Education, General | $27,500 | $27,500 | $23,038 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,600 | $26,600 | $21,250 |
| Biology, General | $26,200 | $26,200 | $20,857 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $25,800 | $25,800 | $20,908 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $25,600 | $25,600 | $19,501 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $24,700 | $24,700 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Fort Myers, FL
- Student Body
- 13,874 students
- Admission Rate
- 63%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,568
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,560
- Median Student Debt
- $17,622