Cal State East Bay vs. GCSC

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University East Bay in Hayward, 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 East Bay is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (12,326 students vs. 5,426 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University East Bay is located in Hayward, CA (Midsize City setting); Gulf Coast State College is in Panama City, FL (Small City setting).
• California State University East Bay 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 East Bay 22:1; Gulf Coast State College 22:1.

Cal State East Bay vs. GCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State East Bay 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 Cal State East Bay ($7,729 vs. $9,850).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gulf Coast State College are 24.4% lower than at California State University East Bay ($13,482 vs. $17,831).
• California State University East Bay is 220% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $5,213 more per year; $7,583.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.7% higher at Cal State East Bay than at Gulf Coast State College (about $11,548 more per year; $20,183.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at California State University East Bay (91% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University East Bay students is 96.5% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($12,369 vs. $6,295).

Cal State East Bay vs. GCSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State East Bay 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 Cal State East Bay.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State East Bay - Test-free; GCSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State East Bay Oct 1, 2026.

Cal State East Bay vs. GCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State East Bay 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 East Bay earn a median of about $23,300 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $7,332 lower median loan debt than Cal State East Bay graduates ($9,000 vs. $16,332).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State East Bay graduates ($93 vs. $168).
• More Cal State East Bay graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.