Cost & financial aid brief
Florida Gulf Coast University Tuition, Costs & Financial Aid
How much does FGCU cost after financial aid?
Aid pricing at Florida Gulf Coast University is most favorable, on average, in the lower reported income bands. Aid covers about 40% of the published cost for the average aid recipient.
The published cost of attendance is $20,807, compared with an average net price of $12,568, a difference of $8,239. Average net price is $8,220 in the lowest band, $8,191 in the next band, $10,999 in the middle band, $15,450 in the next-highest band, and $18,829 in the highest band.
The $10,609 spread between the lowest and highest bands shows a pattern of larger average aid offsets at lower reported incomes.
Florida Gulf Coast University publishes a cost of attendance of $20,807, though the average aid recipient pays far less depending on family income. Average net price, what aid recipients pay after grants and scholarships, is $8,220 in the lowest-income band, $8,191 in the lower-middle band, $10,999 in the middle band, $15,450 in the upper-middle band, and $18,829 in the highest band.
The difference between the lowest and highest band averages is $10,609. Azimuth places the university at #174 for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions.
For the average aid recipient, aid covers about 40% of the published cost, an average savings of $8,239 against the sticker price. Across all aid recipients, the average net price is $12,568, a figure that describes an aid-recipient average rather than any family’s bill.
The peer median, the middle value for comparable institutions (same type and size), is $15,634, placing the university $3,066 below that benchmark. Its overall aid-recipient price and peer comparison point toward lower net costs.
Among federal-loan borrowers who completed, median federal student loan debt is $17,622, and 73.5% of federal aid recipients borrow federal loans. The peer median federal debt at comparable institutions (same type and size) is $20,076, leaving the university’s median $2,454 below the peer figure.
That debt corresponds to an estimated payment of $200 a month if repaid over ten years. Median Parent PLUS borrowing is $18,946.
Student loans: what does repayment look like?
At Florida Gulf Coast University, borrowers who complete have median federal student loan debt of $17,622. Federal loans are taken by 73.5% of federal aid recipients.
The peer median is $20,076 at comparable institutions (same type and size); Florida Gulf Coast University sits below it by $2,454. For separate Parent PLUS parent borrowers, median borrowing is $18,946.
In its 2024-25 Common Data Set, the university reported 37% of graduates borrowed from any source, including 36% with federal loans and 6% with private loans. Average cumulative borrowing was $28,376 from any source, $23,164 for federal borrowers, and $34,899 for private borrowers.
The investment picture at Florida Gulf Coast University is mixed: borrowing sits below comparable institutions, but earnings fall short of expectation. Among federally aided completers who are working and not enrolled, median earnings are $59,369 four years after completion.
Azimuth places that earnings figure in the 48th percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. Earnings beyond expectations, the gap between what graduates earn and what the model expects for similar students, also points lower.
Graduates earn about $7,360 less than the model expects for similar students. Azimuth places in the 27th percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The downside, typical, and upside earnings scenarios are $49,395, $59,369, and $76,340. Median federal student loan debt is $17,622, $2,454 below the $20,076 median at comparable institutions (same type and size).
That debt corresponds to an estimated payment of $200 a month if repaid over ten years. Lower borrowing and below-expected earnings describe different parts of a mixed investment picture.
For parent borrowers, a population separate from student federal-loan borrowers, median Parent PLUS borrowing is $18,946. For student borrowers, the median federal debt corresponds to an estimated payment of $200 a month if repaid over ten years.
Repayment figures are in the Financial GPS card below. Borrowing populations and model assumptions.
Parent loans: what can the family afford?
How Parent PLUS borrowing affects families
- Median Parent PLUS debt
- $18,946
- Estimated parent payment
- $241/mo
| Income | Risk level |
|---|---|
| $35,000 | High pressure |
| $50,000 | High pressure |
| $75,000 | High pressure |
| $100,000 | Caution |
| $150,000 | Safe |
| $200,000 | Safe |
The model holds the parent balance fixed and varies parent income. Read the assumptions and limits.
Student and parent loans: the monthly payments
Financial GPS
What does repayment look like?
- Institution median student debt
- $17,622
- Institution Parent PLUS debt
- $18,946
Federal loans only; private or institutional loans aren’t included.
- Estimated student payment · monthly
- $200/mo
- Estimated Parent PLUS payment · monthly
- $241/mo
- Modeled student + parent payments
- $441/mo
Payments use school-wide median balances, not a specific major’s.
Student payment as a share of available income
At median graduate earnings of $59,369, with a $22,590 annual allowance for basic expenses:
6.5% of income above the allowance · Excellent
- Excellent Under 8% · selected scenario
- Good 8–under 12%
- Concerning 12–20%
- High risk Over 20%
How this estimate works
These are modeled earnings scenarios, not observed earnings percentiles. Annual student payments ÷ (earnings − basic-expense allowance). The starting allowance, $22,590, uses the published framework’s 2024 baseline; it is not a current local living-cost estimate. Change it for your budget, including taxes and other obligations. This combines school-level figures for illustration, not a typical individual’s budget or an official school rating. Parent PLUS is separate.
Payment assumptions
Payments are 10-year standard payments on the median balance, before loan fees, used as a yardstick. Rates for newly issued loans may differ, and loans made after July 1, 2026 can repay over a longer term; existing loans keep their original fixed rates.
Data & methodology
Sources and reporting periods: methodology.
Analysis and methodology by Daniel Rogers, founder of College Azimuth.
Explanatory text is AI-assisted drafting checked against those figures; it is not an additional data source.
Figure notes link to sources and limitations. About College Azimuth.
Net price and borrowing. The 2023–24 income-band averages include living costs and cover eligible first-time, full-time aid recipients; public-school figures reflect in-state tuition. They are not individual aid offers. Peer matching supplies overall net prices, not matched income-band averages. College Scorecard data and documentation.
A personal student-risk assessment also needs your major and borrowing plan; these school-level illustrations do not assign you a personal risk zone.
Payments are 10-year standard payments on the median balance, before loan fees, used as a yardstick. Rates for newly issued loans may differ, and loans made after July 1, 2026 can repay over a longer term; existing loans keep their original fixed rates. Private-loan figures from the Common Data Set are separate from these federal repayment illustrations.