Bridgewater State vs Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)
Bridgewater State University and Florida Gulf Coast University, located in opposite corners of the country, offer distinct educational experiences. Bridgewater State, rooted in Massachusetts, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for students. In contrast, Florida Gulf Coast, situated in sunny Florida, attracts a more diverse student body, with a larger international student population. While both universities offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, Bridgewater State excels in education and psychology, while Florida Gulf Coast shines in business and engineering. With varying graduation rates and costs of attendance, the choice between these two institutions hinges on individual preferences and academic aspirations. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your educational goals and personal preferences.
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![]() Bridgewater State University |
![]() Florida Gulf Coast University |
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Overview |
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Location | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | Fort Myers, Florida |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
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 | 79.0% | 82.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 86.4% | 89.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
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SAT range | 1010 - 1200 | 1010 - 1180 |
ACT range | 19 - 28 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 18.0% | 79.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 1.0% | 45.0% |
Total number of applicants | 8,881 | 14,462 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,671 | 12,901 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,382 | 3,125 |
Yield rate | 18.0% | 24.2% |
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:
$29,164
Out of state:
$35,304
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In state:
$20,390
Out of state:
$39,434
|
Average net price | $12,744 | $9,840 |
Tuition |
In state:
$910
Out of state:
$7,050
|
In state:
$4,191
Out of state:
$22,328
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,256
Meal plan:
$4,576
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Room/dormitory:
$4,820
Meal plan:
$4,346
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
74.0%
Average amount $7,617 |
78.0%
Average amount $6,754 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
81.0%
Average amount $3,681 |
30.0%
Average amount $7,251 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $12,080 |
4.0%
Average amount $16,201 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
8,369
Men 40.7% Women 59.3% |
14,228
Men 42.9% Women 57.1% |
Graduate students |
1,573
Men 23.2% Women 76.8% |
1,681
Men 29.2% Women 70.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 17.6% |
International students | 0.6% | 2.1% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,304 | 4,732 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Mississippi Rhode Island Connecticut New Hampshire Maine | Florida Illinois New Jersey Pennsylvania Ohio |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 22:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 62.4% | 56.2% |
Dropout rate | 35.1% | 26.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | 13.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Air Transportation (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
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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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