Exploring Florida Gulf Coast University's Student Population

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a public university in Lee County, Florida, near Fort Myers. It was founded in 1991 and has since grown to accommodate 14,243 undergraduate students as of Fall 2023. The campus spans 700 acres, with 350 acres of preserved Florida wetlands, and is home to a diverse community of 15,000 students, with female students outnumbering male students by a significant margin.

Florida Gulf Coast University has around 15,000 students

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a public university in Lee County, Florida, near Fort Myers. It was founded in 1991 and has since grown to welcome around 15,000 students.

FGCU's 807-acre campus is in unincorporated Southwest Florida in Lee County, 21 miles from Naples and south of Fort Myers. The campus is within San Carlos Park's fire district and has a Fort Myers postal code. The university is part of the State University System of Florida and is its second-youngest member.

The 150-acre center of the campus, known as the Academic Core, contains the buildings that house most of the school's classrooms and labs. There are three separate housing areas on the periphery of the campus: North Lake, South Village, and West Lake Village. North Lake Village overlooks Lake Como, with recreational activities including boating and water skiing.

FGCU offers 63 majors for undergraduates, with pre-professional programs in digital media design, legal studies, and music therapy. The university also offers 58 bachelor's degree programs, 25 master's degree programs, 6 doctoral degree programs, and 12 graduate certificates.

FGCU is actively engaged with Southwest Florida through cultural activities, educational programs, and athletics. The university is also home to WGCU Public Media, which operates public broadcasting stations for television and radio.

4,748 students live on campus

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a public university in Lee County, Florida, near Fort Myers. It was established in 1991 and has since expanded rapidly. The FGCU campus spans 807 acres and includes three separate housing areas: North Lake, South Village, and West Lake Village.

As of Spring 2024, approximately 4,748 students live on campus, constituting 30% of the student population. This high proportion of students living on campus contributes to an active and vibrant learning community. The residence halls are state-of-the-art, located just minutes from classes, the gym, and dining options.

North Lake Village, one of the on-campus housing options, is situated on an 80-acre lake and offers apartment-style residence halls with waterfront recreation. In 2017, a new boardwalk and dining facility were added to enhance the North Lake Village complex. West Lake Village, previously known as College Club Apartments, houses 501 students and was acquired by the university to become part of FGCU Housing and Residence Life in 2010.

South Village, often abbreviated as SoVi, is composed of suite-style residence halls with five buildings: Everglades Hall, Biscayne Hall, Palmetto Hall, Osprey Hall, and Eagle Hall. Together, these halls accommodate more than 1,720 first-year students. South Village features a resort-style pool with a "beach-entry" and a built-in pool volleyball court.

With a combination of apartment-style and suite-style residence halls, themed housing options, and a range of social activities sponsored by individual halls, the on-campus living experience at FGCU offers a rich and engaging environment for students.

57.7% of students are White/Caucasian

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a public university in Lee County, Florida, near Fort Myers. It was founded in 1991 and has since grown to a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,243 as of Fall 2023. The campus size is 700 acres, with a living, learning laboratory feel.

FGCU has a high proportion of students living on campus, with approximately 4,748 students taking advantage of on-campus housing. The university offers a range of housing options, including apartment-style and suite-style residence halls, with themed housing available, such as Honors and Wellness communities.

As of Spring 2024, 57.7% of students at FGCU identified as White/Caucasian, making it the most common ethnicity on campus. This is followed by 24.6% of students who identified as Hispanic/Latino. The gender breakdown of the student population is predominantly female, with 58% of students identifying as female and 42% as male.

FGCU has a diverse student body, with students from 61 countries represented on campus. The international student population primarily consists of students from Jamaica, Brazil, and Canada. The university also has a high geographic diversity score, with 16.27% of students coming from out of state and 2.58% from out of the country.

The student body is made up of a mix of full-time and part-time students, with full-time students outnumbering part-time students at a ratio of 2.89:1. This contributes to an active and vibrant learning community at FGCU.

58% of students are female

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a public university in Lee County, Florida, near Fort Myers. It was founded in 1991 and has since grown to a student body of 14,243 undergraduates in 2023. Of these students, 58% are female. This means that there are around 8,260 female students at FGCU.

The university's campus spans 700 to 807 acres, with 350 acres of preserved Florida wetlands. FGCU is actively engaged with the Southwest Florida community through cultural activities, educational programs, and athletics. The university's intercollegiate athletic teams, known as the Eagles, compete in NCAA Division I sports.

FGCU offers a range of academic programs, including 63 undergraduate majors and 25 master's degree programs. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and has a reputation as one of the nation's safest campuses.

With a high proportion of students living on campus, FGCU fosters a vibrant and active learning community. The university provides state-of-the-art residence halls, spacious housing complexes, and a variety of dining options to enhance the student experience.

The university offers 63 majors

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) offers a wide range of academic programs for its students, with 63 majors available for undergraduates to choose from. The university is committed to providing a well-rounded and comprehensive education, ensuring students have the opportunity to explore diverse areas of interest.

FGCU is home to several colleges, each offering a distinct set of majors. The College of Arts and Sciences, for instance, provides a broad foundation for students, offering courses across various disciplines. This college covers a wide range, from the natural sciences to the humanities and social sciences, allowing students to major in areas such as biology, chemistry, English, history, and psychology, to name a few.

The university also has a strong focus on professional studies, with colleges dedicated to specific fields. The Lutgert College of Business, for instance, offers undergraduate degrees in accounting, computer information systems, economics, finance, management, and marketing. Similarly, the U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering provides a range of engineering majors, including civil, environmental, bioengineering, and software engineering. For those interested in the health sciences, the Marieb College of Health and Human Services is an excellent choice, with majors available in areas such as nursing, health administration, and public health.

In addition to these, FGCU also has colleges dedicated to specific areas of study, such as the Bower School of Music and the Arts, the School of Resort and Hospitality Management, and the Daveler and Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship. These colleges offer specialised programmes and majors that cater to students' specific career interests. The School of Resort and Hospitality Management, for instance, offers supervised fieldwork experience at resorts and spas in the area, providing a unique, hands-on learning opportunity.

The range of majors available at FGCU reflects the university's commitment to providing a diverse and comprehensive education. With options spanning the arts, sciences, business, engineering, and more, students have the freedom to explore their interests and develop their skills in their chosen fields. The variety of colleges and programmes ensures that FGCU students can tailor their academic journey to their individual passions and career aspirations.

Frequently asked questions