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Florida Gulf Coast University vs University of Miami: which has better ROI?

Public, Fort Myers FL · vs · Private nonprofit, Coral Gables FL

The verdict

University of Miami has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $148,976 in 5.5 years versus 8.1 years at Florida Gulf Coast University, on median earnings of $75,328 vs $54,560 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFlorida Gulf Coast UniversityUniversity of Miami
Net price / yr$12,568$37,244
Total net cost$50,272$148,976
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,560$75,328
Median debt$17,622$17,500
Payback8.1 yrs5.5 yrs
20-year net return$73,728$390,384

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

Which is cheaper, Florida Gulf Coast University or University of Miami?

Florida Gulf Coast University, at $12,568 a year after aid versus $37,244 — a gap of $24,676 a year, or $98,704 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 University of Miami graduates earn more?

University of Miami graduates report a median $75,328 ten years after entry, $20,768 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 University of Miami?

University of Miami: its completers carry a median $17,500 in federal loans versus $17,622 at Florida Gulf Coast University, a difference of $122. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

84% of students finish at University of Miami, against 57% at Florida Gulf Coast 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 University of Miami: frequently asked questions

Is Florida Gulf Coast University or University of Miami a better value?
University of Miami. It clears its $148,976 net cost in about 5.5 years versus 8.1 years at Florida Gulf Coast University, on median earnings of $75,328 vs $54,560 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Florida Gulf Coast University or University of Miami?
Florida Gulf Coast University: $12,568/yr net price after aid versus $37,244/yr at University of Miami — a difference of $24,676 a year, or about $98,704 over four years.
Do Florida Gulf Coast University or University of Miami graduates earn more?
University of Miami graduates earn a median $75,328 ten years after entry, versus $54,560 at Florida Gulf Coast University — a $20,768 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.