College of Charleston (CofC) vs Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)
College of Charleston and Florida Gulf Coast University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. College of Charleston, rooted in history and tradition, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a higher graduation rate, while Florida Gulf Coast University, known for its affordability and diverse student body, offers a more accessible admissions process. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to explore the nuances of each university, including popular majors, student demographics, and financial aid options, to determine which aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
  | 
       | 
          
        
          
             
          
          College of Charleston | 
          
        
          
             
          
          Florida Gulf Coast University | 
      
|---|---|---|
    Overview | 
||
| Location | Charleston, South Carolina | Fort Myers, Florida | 
| Campus setting | City: Midsize | 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 | 83.0% | 82.0% | 
    
       
      Common app member
    
   | 
      Yes | Yes | 
| Religious affiliation | ||
| 
       | 
  ||
    Admission | 
||
| Acceptance rate | 76.1% | 89.2% | 
| Application fees | 
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $60
           
          
            Graduate:
            $60
           
                   | 
      
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $30
           
          
            Graduate:
            $30
           
                   | 
  
| SAT range | 1090 - 1280 | 1010 - 1180 | 
| ACT range | 23 - 29 | 19 - 25 | 
| Students submitting SAT score | 24.0% | 79.0% | 
| Students submitting ACT score | 16.0% | 45.0% | 
| Total number of applicants | 20,484 | 14,462 | 
| Total number of admissions given out | 15,590 | 12,901 | 
| Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,473 | 3,125 | 
| Yield rate | 15.9% | 24.2% | 
| Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A | 
| High school GPA | Required | Required | 
| Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required | 
| High school transcript | Required | Not required | 
| English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Tuition and Fees | 
||
| Sticker price | 
                         
            In state:
            $30,535
           
          
            Out of state:
            $51,995
           
                   | 
      
                         
            In state:
            $20,390
           
          
            Out of state:
            $39,434
           
                   | 
  
| Average net price | $20,255 | $9,840 | 
| Tuition | 
                         
            In state:
            $12,518
           
          
            Out of state:
            $33,978
           
                   | 
      
                         
            In state:
            $4,191
           
          
            Out of state:
            $22,328
           
                   | 
  
| Room & board | 
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $8,409
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $4,550
           
                   | 
      
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $4,820
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $4,346
           
                   | 
  
| Available payment plans | 
                        
  | 
      
                        
  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Financial Aid | 
||
| 
    Students receiving financial aid
     (Grants & scholarships)  | 
      
              
          98.0%
        
         Average amount $9,850  | 
      
              
          78.0%
        
         Average amount $6,754  | 
  
| Students receiving federal student loan | 
              
          41.0%
        
         Average amount $5,362  | 
      
              
          30.0%
        
         Average amount $7,251  | 
  
| Students taking out private loans | 
              
          9.0%
        
         Average amount $22,293  | 
      
              
          4.0%
        
         Average amount $16,201  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Students and Campus | 
||
| Undergraduate students | 
              
          9,967
        
        
           Men 33.6% Women 66.4%  | 
      
              
          14,228
        
        
           Men 42.9% Women 57.1%  | 
  
| Graduate students | 
              
          974
        
        
           Men 22.6% Women 77.4%  | 
      
              
          1,681
        
        
           Men 29.2% Women 70.8%  | 
  
| Racial/ethnic diversity | 
              
           Low 
    
       | 
      
              
           Low 
    
       | 
  
| Out-of-state students | 53.1% | 17.6% | 
| International students | 1.2% | 2.1% | 
| Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large | 
| Dormitory capacity | 3,338 | 4,732 | 
| First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No | 
| Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | South Carolina New Jersey Pennsylvania Virginia Maryland | Florida Illinois New Jersey Pennsylvania Ohio | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Academics | 
||
| Popular study areas | 
              
  | 
      
              
  | 
  
| Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 22:1 | 
| Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Outcome | 
||
| Graduation rate | 67.0% | 56.2% | 
| Dropout rate | 6.0% | 26.2% | 
| Transferred out | 26.3% | 13.4% | 
| Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | 
               
              
                
                  Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Hospitality Administration/Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
      
               
              
                
                  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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      Common app member