Students at Florida Gulf Coast University benefit from exceptional affordability combined with earnings that consistently exceed expectations compared with similar institutions nationwide.
The university delivers reliable financial outcomes while maintaining net prices that make higher education accessible to families across income levels.
Azimuth ranks Florida Gulf Coast University among the top public four-year institutions in Florida for overall value, reflecting its strong balance of affordability, solid earnings outcomes, and reasonable access. What distinguishes FGCU is its ability to deliver consistent results across multiple measures without requiring families to take on excessive financial risk. The university serves a diverse student body, with about 29% receiving Pell Grants and 36% being first-generation college students, while maintaining graduation rates that support long-term success.
FGCU graduates earn a median of $54,560 ten years after enrollment, placing the university above average nationally for earnings outcomes. More importantly, graduates consistently earn about $8,348 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the university's ability to add meaningful value beyond what students might achieve elsewhere. This earnings advantage, combined with net prices that remain affordable across income levels, creates a compelling value proposition.
As a large public university in Southwest Florida, FGCU offers the resources and program breadth students expect from a comprehensive institution while maintaining the accessibility and affordability that make higher education attainable for working families. The university's location in the growing Fort Myers region provides students with internship opportunities and post-graduation employment prospects in a dynamic economic environment.
Florida Gulf Coast University's program portfolio reflects a practical approach to career preparation, with clear pathways to stable employment across multiple fields. Nursing stands out as the university's highest-earning program, with Adult Health Nursing graduates earning around $62,409 early in their careers and benefiting from strong regional demand in Southwest Florida's growing healthcare sector. The program's 80 graduates represent a focused cohort that enters a profession with excellent job security and advancement potential.
Business Administration serves as FGCU's economic engine, graduating 192 students annually with median earnings of $37,896. While not the highest-paying program, its combination of scale and solid outcomes makes it the university's most significant contributor to overall graduate success. Psychology, the largest program with 194 graduates, produces more moderate earnings at $30,080, typical for a foundational field that often leads students toward graduate study, counseling, education, or diverse career paths in human services.
The university also offers specialized programs in behavioral health, though these tend toward service-oriented careers with lower initial earnings. Overall, FGCU's program mix emphasizes practical, career-focused education that prepares students for immediate employment while providing the foundation for long-term professional growth in Florida's dynamic economy.
Florida Gulf Coast University graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that consistently exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $54,560, with the university ranking above average nationally for earnings performance. More significantly, FGCU graduates earn about $8,348 more than similar students at other institutions, reflecting the university's ability to deliver meaningful earnings advantages that compound over time.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its nursing programs, where Adult Health Nursing graduates earn around $62,409 early in their careers, combining high demand with excellent compensation. Business Administration, the university's largest high-return program with 192 graduates, produces median earnings of $37,896 and represents FGCU's most significant economic engine due to its scale and consistent outcomes. Psychology, while the largest program overall with 194 graduates, shows more moderate earnings at $30,080, typical for a foundational field that often leads to graduate study or diverse career paths. The university also offers programs in behavioral health fields, though these tend toward lower initial earnings as students often pursue service-oriented careers or additional training.
Florida Gulf Coast University delivers strong affordability across all income levels, making it accessible to a broad range of Florida families. Low-income students pay about $6,146 annually after aid, well below typical public university costs, while middle-income families see net prices around $9,954 per year. Even higher-income families pay a reasonable $16,165 annually, creating predictable costs that help families plan effectively over four years.
Debt levels remain manageable for most FGCU students. Typical graduates leave with about $17,622 in federal student loan debt, a moderate amount that aligns well with the university's solid earnings outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $17,000 among families who choose this option, representing a reasonable level of family investment. With a 0% federal loan default rate, FGCU demonstrates that its graduates can successfully manage their educational debt, supported by steady employment prospects and earnings that grow over time.
Florida Gulf Coast University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
