Jacksonville State vs Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)
Jacksonville State University (JSU) and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) are two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. JSU, located in Jacksonville, Alabama, is a public university with a long history dating back to 1883. FGCU, on the other hand, is a younger institution, established in 1997 in Fort Myers, Florida, and is also a public university. While both universities share similarities in terms of their academic offerings and commitment to student success, there are several key differences between them. These differences range from acceptance rates and popular majors to student body demographics and graduation rates. To help prospective students make informed decisions about their higher education journey, we present a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of JSU and FGCU, highlighting these variations and providing valuable insights into each university's distinct characteristics.
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![]() Florida Gulf Coast University |
![]() Jacksonville State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Fort Myers, Florida | Jacksonville, Alabama |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 82.0% | 69.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 89.2% | 76.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
|
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 1010 - 1180 | 1010 - 1240 |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | 16 - 23 |
Students submitting SAT score | 79.0% | 1.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 45.0% | 71.0% |
Total number of applicants | 14,462 | 10,483 |
Total number of admissions given out | 12,901 | 8,003 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,125 | 1,818 |
Yield rate | 24.2% | 22.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$20,390
Out of state:
$39,434
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In state:
$24,923
Out of state:
$34,643
|
Average net price | $9,840 | $13,426 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,191
Out of state:
$22,328
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In state:
$9,720
Out of state:
$19,440
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,820
Meal plan:
$4,346
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Room/dormitory:
$3,900
Meal plan:
$3,300
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
78.0%
Average amount $6,754 |
99.0%
Average amount $8,488 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
30.0%
Average amount $7,251 |
59.0%
Average amount $7,102 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $16,201 |
7.0%
Average amount $10,209 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
14,228
Men 42.9% Women 57.1% |
8,067
Men 39.5% Women 60.5% |
Graduate students |
1,681
Men 29.2% Women 70.8% |
1,473
Men 32.2% Women 67.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 17.6% | 19.8% |
International students | 2.1% | 1.7% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 4,732 | 2,564 |
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 | Alabama Georgia Tennessee Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 22:1 | 19:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 56.2% | 49.7% |
Dropout rate | 26.2% | 18.2% |
Transferred out | 13.4% | 27.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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