Education at Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast University's education program falls short of most Florida competitors despite manageable debt levels. At $38,392 in first-year earnings, graduates trail the state median and rank in just the 40th percentile among Florida's 11 education programs—meaning six out of ten peer programs produce higher-earning teachers. The gap widens when you look at top performers: Flagler College graduates earn $7,000 more annually from the start.

The debt picture offers some consolation. At $20,755, graduates borrow significantly less than the national median of $26,522, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 that's reasonable for teaching careers. However, the nearly flat earnings trajectory—just 2% growth over four years—suggests limited advancement opportunities or salary schedule progression. For a profession where experience typically drives steady raises, this stagnation is unusual.

The fundamental issue isn't affordability but opportunity cost. Your child could attend Florida Atlantic (which matches the state median) or Flagler (which significantly exceeds it) and potentially start their teaching career $7,000 ahead annually. In a field where salary schedules matter tremendously, that initial placement difference compounds over an entire career. Unless FGCU offers specific program features your family values—location, teaching specializations, campus culture—stronger-performing Florida education programs deserve serious consideration.