Bethune-Cookman vs. GCSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, FL with Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gulf Coast State College is larger than Bethune-Cookman based on total student enrollment (5,426 students vs. 2,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethune Cookman University is located in Daytona Beach, FL (Small City setting); Gulf Coast State College is in Panama City, FL (Small City setting).
• Bethune Cookman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethune Cookman University 17:1; Gulf Coast State College 22:1.

Bethune-Cookman vs. GCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethune-Cookman 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 Bethune-Cookman ($7,729 vs. $12,476).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethune Cookman University are 22.9% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($10,396 vs. $13,482).
• Bethune Cookman University is 524.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $12,424 more per year; $14,794.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.3% higher at Bethune-Cookman than at Gulf Coast State College (about $6,159 more per year; $14,794.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethune Cookman University than at Gulf Coast State College (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethune Cookman University students is 172.9% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($17,181 vs. $6,295).

Bethune-Cookman vs. GCSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethune-Cookman 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 Bethune-Cookman.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethune Cookman University 830/990.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethune-Cookman - Test optional; GCSC - Open admission.

Bethune-Cookman vs. GCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethune-Cookman 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 Gulf Coast State College earn a median of about $300 more per year than Bethune-Cookman graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,000 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $26,985 lower median loan debt than Bethune-Cookman graduates ($9,000 vs. $35,985).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $279 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethune-Cookman graduates ($93 vs. $372).
• More GCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethune-Cookman students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 20%)

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.