Is Florida Gulf Coast University a Catholic college?

No. Florida Gulf Coast University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by FOCUS at Florida Gulf Coast University (as stated by the Diocese of Venice).

College · Catholic life on campus

Florida Gulf Coast University

LocationFort Myers, FL
Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 16,167 students

Official website

Florida Gulf Coast University is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

The Diocese of Venice states that it has brought FOCUS to Florida Gulf Coast University, and directs students to a diocesan contact for FOCUS and the Newman Center. No campus center address, chaplain, Mass times, or student group list was foundthat could be read.

Catholic life scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

N/A

Catholic life on campus

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

Yes:
Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes (The diocese states that it brought FOCUS to FGCU and refers to the Newman Center there. The page is undated.)
Sources (1)
1. Fellowship of Catholic University Students - Diocese of Venicedioceseofvenice.org/fellowship-of-catholic-university-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The Diocese of Venice has brought FOCUS (The Fellowship of Catholic University Students) to Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU).”
  The Diocese of Venice states that it has brought FOCUS to Florida Gulf Coast University.
  “If you or anyone you know is attending FGCU and would like to get involved with FOCUS or the Newman Center there, please contact the Diocesan Director of Young Adult Outreach”
  The diocese directs FGCU students who want to get involved with FOCUS or the Newman Center to its youth and young adult office.
Not enough information:
Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Weekday Mass at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Scheduled confession at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
No:
Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)None mapped within 3 milesComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
Not enough information:
Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adorationNot enough information: no verified Mass times are recorded.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

The Diocese of Venice states that FOCUS serves Florida Gulf Coast University.
Sources (1)
1. Fellowship of Catholic University Students - Diocese of Venicedioceseofvenice.org/fellowship-of-catholic-university-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The Diocese of Venice has brought FOCUS (The Fellowship of Catholic University Students) to Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU).”
  The Diocese of Venice states that it has brought FOCUS to Florida Gulf Coast University.

Concerns

None recorded.

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Catholic campus ministry

FOCUS at Florida Gulf Coast University (as stated by the Diocese of Venice)

Sources (1)

Fellowship of Catholic University Students - Diocese of Venicedioceseofvenice.org/fellowship-of-catholic-university-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“The Diocese of Venice has brought FOCUS (The Fellowship of Catholic University Students) to Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU).”
The Diocese of Venice states that it has brought FOCUS to Florida Gulf Coast University.

Reach out

Contact details for Joshua Mazrin (Interim Director of Youth and Young Adult Outreach, Diocese of Venice (FOCUS and Newman Center contact for FGCU)) and the campus ministry are available to signed-in users.

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Academic Excellence

59 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score57%
First-year retention 20% of score83%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreSAT 1,114 · ACT 22.5
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score20 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$7,517

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Campus facts

Sports	NCAA Division I · Atlantic Sun Conference
Setting	Suburb
Study abroad	Offered
Students per faculty member	20 to 1

Federal data (IPEDS). None of this changes the faith grades.

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS)	14,227
Total students	16,167
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$12,568
Cost of attendance (per year)	$20,807
Median federal debt at graduation	$17,622
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	57%
First-year retention	83%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$54,560
Admission rate	63%
Students receiving Pell grants	28%

Admitted students’ middle range:SAT 1040–1200ACT 20–25

Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT	1114
SAT reading & writing	530–610
SAT math	510–590
ACT composite	20–25
Test policy	Required

Value index: 68 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Diocese of Venice in Florida

The Most Reverend Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., Bishop of Venice in Florida

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: dioceseofvenice.org, usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

IPEDS unit ID 433660
Carnegie classification: Doctoral/professional university
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges d.b.a. Commission on Colleges and Universities (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
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Questions families ask

Is Florida Gulf Coast University a Catholic college?: No. Florida Gulf Coast University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by FOCUS at Florida Gulf Coast University (as stated by the Diocese of Venice).

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