Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a public research university in Fort Myers, Florida. It belongs to the twelve-member State University System of Florida as its second youngest member. The university was established on May 3, 1991, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award 58 different types of bachelor's, 25 different master's, six doctoral degrees, and twelve graduate certificates. All of the university's undergraduate engineering degrees are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

The university's academics are divided into six main colleges: U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Lutgert College of Business, Marieb College of Health & Human Services, College of Education, College of Arts and Sciences, and Honors College. The prominent schools and departments within the colleges include; Bower School of Music & the Arts, The Emergent Technologies Institute (ETI), School of Nursing, School of Resort & Hospitality Management, and School of Entrepreneurship.