Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) vs Stetson University

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and Stetson University are two distinct institutions of higher learning located in the vibrant state of Florida. While both universities offer a diverse range of academic programs and opportunities, they possess unique characteristics that cater to different student preferences and aspirations. FGCU, situated in the heart of Fort Myers, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. In contrast, Stetson University, nestled in the charming city of DeLand, maintains a lower acceptance rate, ensuring a more selective and competitive admissions process. Delve into the comprehensive comparison table below to explore further distinctions between these two esteemed universities, including popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to determine the institution that best aligns with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	Florida Gulf Coast University	Stetson University
Overview
Location	Fort Myers, Florida	DeLand, Florida
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	82.0%	72.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	89.2%	91.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1010 - 1180	1090 - 1295
ACT range	19 - 25	22 - 29
Students submitting SAT score	79.0%	20.0%
Students submitting ACT score	45.0%	11.0%
Total number of applicants	14,462	9,260
Total number of admissions given out	12,901	8,486
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,125	637
Yield rate	24.2%	7.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $20,390 Out of state: $39,434	$69,910
Average net price	$9,840	$20,278
Tuition	In state: $4,191 Out of state: $22,328	$50,440
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $4,820 Meal plan: $4,346	Room/dormitory: $8,730 Meal plan: $6,180
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	78.0% Average amount $6,754	100.0% Average amount $42,590
Students receiving federal student loan	30.0% Average amount $7,251	61.0% Average amount $5,492
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $16,201	8.0% Average amount $18,017

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	14,228 Men 42.9% Women 57.1%	2,876 Men 43.4% Women 56.6%
Graduate students	1,681 Men 29.2% Women 70.8%	1,381 Men 43.2% Women 56.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	17.6%	19.9%
International students	2.1%	4.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	4,732	2,052
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Florida Illinois New Jersey Pennsylvania Ohio	Florida Georgia New York North Carolina Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Multidisciplinary Studies Liberal Arts Education Engineering	Legal Profession Business Visual & Performing Arts Psychology Education
Students to faculty ratio	22:1	12:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	56.2%	63.3%
Dropout rate	26.2%	36.7%
Transferred out	13.4%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,910 Year 2: $59,722 Year 3: $85,341 Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $74,972 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $70,296 Year 3: $73,324 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $66,429 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $68,880 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $51,840 Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $68,095 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,707 Year 2: $47,520 Year 3: $65,837 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,279 Year 2: $62,409 Year 3: $64,731 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,799 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $63,963 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,944 Year 2: $46,769 Year 3: $59,253 Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,874 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $58,083	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,241 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $75,678 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,894 Year 2: $56,867 Year 3: $72,879 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $47,613 Year 2: $54,371 Year 3: $67,603 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $51,146 Year 2: $54,751 Year 3: $58,666 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,408 Year 2: $48,667 Year 3: $57,737 Law (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,372 Year 2: $61,020 Year 3: $54,912 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,915 Year 2: $37,748 Year 3: $49,477 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,620 Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: $49,207 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,037 Year 2: $39,009 Year 3: $45,487 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,014 Year 2: $42,012 Year 3: $45,204

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and Stetson University?

FGCU is a public university known for its focus on environmental sustainability and its location in Southwest Florida. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs with a larger student body. Stetson University, on the other hand, is a private university with a strong emphasis on liberal arts education and a smaller, more intimate campus environment. Stetson is also known for its College of Law.
Which university is larger, FGCU or Stetson?

FGCU is significantly larger than Stetson. FGCU has a larger student population, typically exceeding 15,000 students, while Stetson's enrollment is generally around 4,000-5,000 students across its undergraduate and graduate programs.
How do the academic programs compare between FGCU and Stetson?

FGCU offers a broad range of programs, including strong offerings in business, education, health professions, and environmental studies. Stetson excels in liberal arts disciplines such as humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Stetson also has a well-regarded School of Business Administration and a College of Law. Consider your specific academic interests when deciding which university aligns best with your goals.
What is the campus environment like at FGCU versus Stetson?

FGCU's campus is modern and located in a rapidly growing area of Southwest Florida, near beaches and natural preserves. It has a more commuter-oriented feel due to its larger size. Stetson's campus is historic and located in DeLand, Florida, offering a traditional college town atmosphere with a strong sense of community. Stetson's smaller size fosters closer relationships between students and faculty.
How do the costs of attending FGCU and Stetson compare?

As a public university, FGCU generally has lower tuition costs for Florida residents compared to Stetson, which is a private institution. However, Stetson may offer more generous financial aid packages to offset the higher tuition. It's important to compare the net cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, board, and financial aid) at both universities to determine which is more affordable for you.
What are the athletic programs like at FGCU and Stetson?

Both FGCU and Stetson offer NCAA Division I athletic programs. FGCU's athletic teams are known as the Eagles, and they compete in the ASUN Conference. Stetson's athletic teams are called the Hatters, and they compete in the ASUN Conference as well. Both universities offer a variety of sports, but FGCU has gained more national recognition for its basketball program in recent years.
Which university is better for students interested in environmental studies?

FGCU has a strong reputation for its environmental studies programs, given its location and commitment to sustainability. They offer various undergraduate and graduate degrees focused on environmental science, marine science, and related fields. While Stetson also offers environmental-related courses, FGCU's dedicated programs and research opportunities in this area are generally more extensive.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at FGCU and Stetson?

Both FGCU and Stetson offer career services to help students with internships, job placement, and career development. FGCU benefits from its location in a growing metropolitan area, providing access to internships and jobs in various industries. Stetson leverages its alumni network and partnerships to provide students with opportunities in Central Florida and beyond. The best choice depends on your specific career interests and desired location.
How does the student life and campus activities compare?

FGCU offers a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities to cater to its larger student body. There are opportunities for involvement in Greek life, student government, and various interest-based groups. Stetson's smaller size fosters a close-knit community with active student organizations and campus events. Students at Stetson often participate in community service and leadership development programs.
Which university is located closer to major cities and attractions?

FGCU is located in Fort Myers, Florida, providing easy access to beaches, natural preserves, and other attractions in Southwest Florida. It's also within driving distance of Naples and Miami. Stetson is located in DeLand, Florida, which is closer to Orlando and its theme parks. Both universities offer access to different types of attractions, so consider your preferences when making your decision.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.