About Florida Gulf Coast University

Founded in 1991, Florida Gulf Coast University. is a Public college. Located in Florida, which is a city setting in Florida, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 13,733 full time undergraduate students, and 1,088 full time graduate students.

The Florida Gulf Coast University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 22:1. There are 463 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Florida Gulf Coast University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate56%
Application Deadline
Application Fee30
SAT Range990-1150
ACT Range22-26

Admissions at FGCU are considered Selective, with ,70% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 17 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

76% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 35% were in the top quarter, and 9% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Florida Gulf Coast University.

3%
“We”re apathetic”
23%
“We know about current events and vote”
62%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
12%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
64%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
16%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
28%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
72%
“I feel extremely safe”
35%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
17%
“We bought the gear”
48%
“We live for the big game”
5%
“It”s not really our thing”
18%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
66%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
11%
“We”re a very artistic group”
4%
“Haven”t met them”
1%
“Available in class”
56%
“They keep regular office hours”
38%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
30%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
62%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
5%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
48%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
29%
“We only party on weekends”
21%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
64%
“There might be people who do”
19%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
8%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
3%
“We”re apathetic”
23%
“We know about current events and vote”
62%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
12%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
64%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
16%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
28%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
72%
“I feel extremely safe”
35%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
17%
“We bought the gear”
48%
“We live for the big game”
5%
“It”s not really our thing”
18%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
66%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
11%
“We”re a very artistic group”
4%
“Haven”t met them”
1%
“Available in class”
56%
“They keep regular office hours”
38%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
30%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
62%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
5%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
48%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
29%
“We only party on weekends”
21%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
64%
“There might be people who do”
19%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
8%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
3%
“We”re apathetic”
23%
“We know about current events and vote”
62%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
12%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
64%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
16%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
28%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
72%
“I feel extremely safe”
35%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
17%
“We bought the gear”
48%
“We live for the big game”
5%
“It”s not really our thing”
18%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
66%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
11%
“We”re a very artistic group”
4%
“Haven”t met them”
1%
“Available in class”
56%
“They keep regular office hours”
38%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
30%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
62%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
5%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
48%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
29%
“We only party on weekends”
21%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
64%
“There might be people who do”
19%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
8%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    169 Students rated on-campus housing 4.1 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    122 Students rated off-campus housing 3.9 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    192 Students rated campus food 3.6 stars. 24 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    198 Students rated campus facilities 4.5 stars. 60 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    198 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 61 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    198 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 35 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    199 Students rated local services 4.3 stars. 55 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    199 Students rated academics 4.2 stars. 46 % gave the school a 5.0.

Florida Gulf Coast University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Florida Gulf Coast University?

94 Students rated Florida Gulf Coast University

Cory - 07/27/2023

I have a good opinion about this university. It is a nice school that doesn't have the craziness of other schools within the state. The faculty is generally quite helpful and active, and while the school can be quiet at times, there is still much to do within the area, especially since interstate 75 is right nearby. The environmental focus of the school is one of its greatest aspects, given it's drive to also help the communities in and around it's area.

Kalysta - 07/31/2021

My opinion is that this is an amazing university, which is accommodating to nearly everybody who attends. For myself, who has a disability and is part of the LGBTQ+ community, I never find myself feeling completely in danger of my safety. Everything is politically and ethically diverse, yet not in an overbearing way.

Olivia - 02/05/2021

attending fgcu is the worst decision of my life. this school is a joke to most floridians and you have a way better chance of succeeding after graduation at literally any other public college in florida. the only good thing i can say about fgcu is that they are very environmentally friendly. other than that, be prepared to be surrounded by people who got below average grades in high school and only like to party. the housing is also crazy expensive and you have to walk forever to get anywhere. professors are hit or miss and lately, there have been huge campus safety issues. plus, no one follows covid precautions, especially in the freshman dorms. DO NOT ATTEND THIS SCHOOL!!!!!

Alanna - 01/05/2021

Florida Gulf Coast University offers a unique educational experience. Placing an emphasis on environment, all students learn about the history and mission of the place we spend most of our time. While not every professor can get to know you, I have had the experience of multiple influential professors in my academic career. I will always be grateful for the educational tools FGCU had equipped me with.

Florida Gulf Coast University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Florida Gulf Coast University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Florida Gulf Coast University is 56%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Well Sophie, all your high school teachers are going to tell you that college is going to be a complete 180 from high school, and they are partially right. When they say college professors are going to be super tough on you and not anywhere near as nice as your high school teachers, they are embelishing a bit. My experience with college professors is that they are each very different in their own right. Some are extremely hard on you and will not give you the time of day, and others are extremely accomodating and want to help you in any way possible. As far as the course work goes, it varies from class to class and professor to professor. Some of my professors never assign any work and prefer class discussions to any written work and others stick to long research papers and presentations. Studying is something you are going to have to learn to deal with also. I know you never studied in high school and managed to pass all your tests, but if there's one thing that is different in college, it's the tests. They can make or break your entire grade and GPA.

    Read all 190 answers

  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst part about my college is that since it is a small university the class sizes are small as well wich makes getting into a class that you need a competetion. If you the class fills up you have to e-mail the professors and beg for them to allow you in their class. If you cant get into a class that goes towards your major and you need to make full time status then you have to take a class that you really dont need.

    Read all 40 answers

  4. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    FGCU is a small but efficient university with a very diverse student body.

    Read all 35 answers

  5. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Florida Gulf Coast University is a very diverse school. To me there is not many people who wouldn't be able to attend this beautiful school. This school would be good for any student who wanted to further their education. If someone doesn't want to put the time required for any type of school then Florida Gulf Coast University would not be for them. Florida Gulf Coast University would be a great school for any student who wants to make an effort.

    Read all 35 answers

  6. What kind of person should attend this school?

    A person who wants to be part of a tight knit community and prefers a smaller campus to a larger one.

    Read all 34 answers

  7. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    College is NOT high school.

    Read all 31 answers

  8. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I enjoy the small class sizes. That is most important to me. Being able to have conversations with the professors and have them know me by name instead of a random student they have. They are more personable that way and seem to care more.

    Read all 30 answers

  9. Describe the students at your school.

    The students at Florida Gulf Coast University are very friendly and outgoing. The students help each other out in any way that they can, there are student workers as well in the offices that came help you if you get lost. Florida Gulf Coast University offers many different ways for you to interact with other students. We have SI?s; these are older students who help others with classes like biology, and chemistry. We have all kinds of intramural sports that give students the opportunity to get involved with others as well.

    Read all 29 answers

  10. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Florida Gulf Coast University prides itsself on environmental awareness. The goal of every student attending this college is to fully comprehend this subject, and to apply the conservation practices to our every-day lives. Also, community service hour requirements set us apart as well.

    Read all 29 answers

  11. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    The school is very focused on preseving the various wetlands surrounding the campus. This school also constantly encourages students to become involved in extra circular activities.

    Read all 28 answers

  12. What's unique about your campus?

    The best thing about my school is the size. The campus is very large, yet the class sizes are very reasonable. If I am able to walk into a class and have a professor address me by my first name, then I believe my university is on the right track.

    Read all 26 answers

  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The most frustrating thing about my school is how some of the faculty treat the students. They do not respond to emails, criticize for no reason and some are unwilling to help students succeed.

    Read all 23 answers

  14. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    FGCU is a wonderful school. Through countless efforts, the school has managed to stay clean and green. The students are friendly and the leadership opportunities are endless. Professors and students alike are on one page.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

56%

female

44%

male

13,733

Total Undergrad Enrollment

1,088

Total Grad Students

16%

Out-Of-State

81%

In-State

3%

International

Organizations

N/A

Student Organizations

6

Fraternities

4

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

33%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
2%
% Black or African-American
7%
% Hispanic/Latino
20%
% White or Caucasian
65%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

72% of students attending Florida Gulf Coast University receive some sort of financial aid. 27% were awarded federal grants. While 41% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$25,162

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,200

Books and Supplies

$9,672

Room and Board

36,034

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$11,264
$30 - $48K
$12,174
$48 - $75K
$15,014
$75 - $110K
$17,026
$110K & UP
$18,016

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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