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

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

The verdict

University of North Florida has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $40,616 in 5.1 years versus 8.1 years at Florida Gulf Coast University, on median earnings of $56,343 vs $54,560 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFlorida Gulf Coast UniversityUniversity of North Florida
Net price / yr$12,568$10,154
Total net cost$50,272$40,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,560$56,343
Median debt$17,622$15,531
Payback8.1 yrs5.1 yrs
20-year net return$73,728$119,044

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 North Florida?

University of North Florida, at $10,154 a year after aid versus $12,568 — a gap of $2,414 a year, or $9,656 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 North Florida graduates earn more?

University of North Florida graduates report a median $56,343 ten years after entry, $1,783 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 North Florida?

University of North Florida: its completers carry a median $15,531 in federal loans versus $17,622 at Florida Gulf Coast University, a difference of $2,091. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at University of North Florida, 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 North Florida: frequently asked questions

Is Florida Gulf Coast University or University of North Florida a better value?
University of North Florida. It clears its $40,616 net cost in about 5.1 years versus 8.1 years at Florida Gulf Coast University, on median earnings of $56,343 vs $54,560 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Florida Gulf Coast University or University of North Florida?
University of North Florida: $10,154/yr net price after aid versus $12,568/yr at Florida Gulf Coast University — a difference of $2,414 a year, or about $9,656 over four years.
Do Florida Gulf Coast University or University of North Florida graduates earn more?
University of North Florida graduates earn a median $56,343 ten years after entry, versus $54,560 at Florida Gulf Coast University — a $1,783 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.