CSU Bakersfield vs. GCSC

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 5,426 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Gulf Coast State College is in Panama City, FL (Small City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Gulf Coast State College 22:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. GCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield 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 California State University Bakersfield than GCSC ($6,489 vs. $7,729).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gulf Coast State College are 10.6% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($13,482 vs. $15,076).
• California State University Bakersfield is 241.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $5,720 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.6% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Gulf Coast State College (about $12,055 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield as at Gulf Coast State College (91% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 106% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($12,966 vs. $6,295).

CSU Bakersfield vs. GCSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield 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 CSU Bakersfield.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; GCSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.

CSU Bakersfield vs. GCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield 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 California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $4,168 lower median loan debt than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($9,000 vs. $13,168).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($93 vs. $136).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 39%)

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.