Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) vs Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)
Western Connecticut State University and Florida Gulf Coast University, located in the picturesque regions of Danbury, Connecticut, and Fort Myers, Florida, respectively, offer distinct educational experiences. Western Connecticut State University, with an acceptance rate of 84%, welcomes a diverse student body, while Florida Gulf Coast University, with a slightly lower acceptance rate of 79%, boasts a larger student population. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with popular majors in business, education, and health sciences. While Western Connecticut State University has a higher graduation rate of 59%, Florida Gulf Coast University offers a more affordable tuition rate. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Florida Gulf Coast University |
![]() Western Connecticut State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Fort Myers, Florida | Danbury, Connecticut |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: 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 | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 89.2% | 84.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
SAT range | 1010 - 1180 | N/A |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 79.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 45.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 14,462 | 4,688 |
Total number of admissions given out | 12,901 | 3,978 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,125 | 733 |
Yield rate | 24.2% | 18.4% |
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:
$28,783
Out of state:
$42,187
|
Average net price | $9,840 | $15,660 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,191
Out of state:
$22,328
|
In state:
$6,162
Out of state:
$18,436
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,820
Meal plan:
$4,346
|
Room/dormitory:
$8,020
Meal plan:
$5,856
|
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 |
78.0%
Average amount $6,312 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
30.0%
Average amount $7,251 |
58.0%
Average amount $7,417 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $16,201 |
5.0%
Average amount $12,388 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
14,228
Men 42.9% Women 57.1% |
4,172
Men 47.6% Women 52.4% |
Graduate students |
1,681
Men 29.2% Women 70.8% |
630
Men 25.4% Women 74.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 17.6% | 28.6% |
International students | 2.1% | 0.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 4,732 | 1,315 |
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 | Connecticut New York New Jersey Mississippi Maine |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 22:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 56.2% | 52.9% |
Dropout rate | 26.2% | 12.0% |
Transferred out | 13.4% | 31.0% |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
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