Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Florida Gulf Coast University vs Jacksonville University: which has better ROI?

Public, Fort Myers FL · vs · Private nonprofit, Jacksonville FL

The verdict

Jacksonville University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $100,720 in 5.1 years versus 8.1 years at Florida Gulf Coast University, on median earnings of $68,010 vs $54,560 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureFlorida Gulf Coast UniversityJacksonville University
Net price / yr$12,568$25,180
Total net cost$50,272$100,720
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,560$68,010
Median debt$17,622$22,000
Payback8.1 yrs5.1 yrs
20-year net return$73,728$292,280

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Florida Gulf Coast University or Jacksonville University?

Florida Gulf Coast University, at $12,568 a year after aid versus $25,180 — a gap of $12,612 a year, or $50,448 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Florida Gulf Coast University or Jacksonville University graduates earn more?

Jacksonville University graduates report a median $68,010 ten years after entry, $13,450 more than the $54,560 at Florida Gulf Coast University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Florida Gulf Coast University or Jacksonville University?

Florida Gulf Coast University: its completers carry a median $17,622 in federal loans versus $22,000 at Jacksonville University, a difference of $4,378. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

57% of students finish at Florida Gulf Coast University, against 51% at Jacksonville University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Florida Gulf Coast University vs Jacksonville University: frequently asked questions

Is Florida Gulf Coast University or Jacksonville University a better value?
Jacksonville University. It clears its $100,720 net cost in about 5.1 years versus 8.1 years at Florida Gulf Coast University, on median earnings of $68,010 vs $54,560 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Florida Gulf Coast University or Jacksonville University?
Florida Gulf Coast University: $12,568/yr net price after aid versus $25,180/yr at Jacksonville University — a difference of $12,612 a year, or about $50,448 over four years.
Do Florida Gulf Coast University or Jacksonville University graduates earn more?
Jacksonville University graduates earn a median $68,010 ten years after entry, versus $54,560 at Florida Gulf Coast University — a $13,450 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.