In just 25 years, FGCU has grown from idea to impact
Since 1997, our students have contributed to the Southwest Florida community through millions of hours of service-learning. They’ve interned at countless local businesses and started their own. They’ve brought a community together through the arts, athletics and advocacy.
When they leave Florida Gulf Coast University, more than half our graduates stay in the region and continue to serve the community as teachers and nurses, scientists and social workers, engineers and entrepreneurs. Through thousands of Eagle alumni and through the university’s rising profile in fields such as water research, FGCU’s impact continues to expand exponentially.
Leadership Timeline
FGCU was founded 1991 as Florida’s 10th state university, and classes began in August 1997. We’ve had four presidents.
Michael Martin, Ph.D.
2017-2023
Wilson G. Bradshaw, Ph.D.
2007-2017
William C. Merwin, Ph.D.
1999-2007
Roy E. McTarnaghan, Ph.D.
1993-1999
Our Degree Programs
FGCU has awarded 43,353 degrees since graduating its first class in 1998, and we’re still developing new programs.
63
Undergraduate
26
Master's
7
Doctoral
18
Academic Certificates
Ensuring Student Success
Undergraduate research opportunities, smaller classes and experiential learning are critical to an FGCU education and set us apart from other schools.
of classes taught by full-time faculty
student-to-faculty ratio
of students receive financial aid
of all first-year students live on campus
Living-Learning Communities (LLC)
Students who share special interests can live in designated residence halls: Entrepreneurship; Honors College; Women in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (WiSTEM); Leadership Through Service
Value for Your Investment
FGCU holds the second-highest graduate employment rate among all Florida state universities.
- Tuition has remained the same since 2013-14.
- More than 75% of students graduate without excess credit hours.
Our Student Profile
Fall 2021 enrollment
Undergraduate
Students live in campus housing
Average GPA of incoming freshmen
Average SAT score of incoming freshmen
Average ACT score of incoming freshmen
First-generation
college students
Dynamic Campus Life
Student involvement, community engagement and physical and mental health are as critical to student success as academic development.
Campus Features
With restored or preserved nature making up half of our 800 acres, the FGCU campus is a living laboratory for learning, especially as it pertains to sustainability, one of our guiding principles.
- 300 residential and migratory birds and endangered species
- Natural trails winding through pine flatwoods, cypress swamps and other ecosystems
- 15-acre solar energy field
- Food Forest designed and maintained by students as a permaculture botanical garden
Off-Campus Facilities
- Vester Marine and Environmental Science Research Field Station, Bonita Springs (classrooms, labs, waterfront access)
- Emergent Technologies Institute (classrooms, labs, conference space)
- Harvey Kapnick Education and Research Center, Naples (classrooms, labs, conference space), includes Everglades Wetland Research Park
- Buckingham Complex
Eagle Alumni
- 37,779 graduates
- States with most alumni: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Texas
- Percentage of all alumni live in: 35% Lee County, 14% Collier County, 4% Broward County
- Alumni Association Chapters: Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, Washington D.C.
Community Education Programs
- FGCU Academy offers 900+ non-credit courses each year
- Affordable continuing education programs on campus, off campus and online for professional training, certification and licensing and career development in public and private sectors
Resources & Research
Faculty & Staff
Research & Sponsored Programs
