AAMU vs. GCSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama A & M University in Normal, AL with Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alabama A & M University is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (7,295 students vs. 5,426 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama A & M University is located in Normal, AL (Midsize City setting); Gulf Coast State College is in Panama City, FL (Small City setting).
• Alabama A & M University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama A & M University 19:1; Gulf Coast State College 22:1.

AAMU vs. GCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AAMU or GCSC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Gulf Coast State College than AAMU ($7,729 vs. $17,152).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama A & M University are 15.4% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($11,402 vs. $13,482).
• Alabama A & M University is 323% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $7,654 more per year; $10,024.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115.8% higher at AAMU than at Gulf Coast State College (about $9,999 more per year; $18,634.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at Alabama A & M University (91% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama A & M University students is 104% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($12,844 vs. $6,295).

AAMU vs. GCSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AAMU or GCSC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between GCSC and AAMU.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 810/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 14/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AAMU - Test optional; GCSC - Open admission.

AAMU vs. GCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AAMU and GCSC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Alabama A & M University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,300 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $26,000 lower median loan debt than AAMU graduates ($9,000 vs. $35,000).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $268 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAMU graduates ($93 vs. $361).
• More GCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AAMU students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.