FAU vs. GCSC

Should I go to Florida Atlantic University or Gulf Coast State College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if FAU or GCSC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Florida Atlantic University vs. Gulf Coast State College comparison
Florida Atlantic University Gulf Coast State College College 3 College 4
Florida Atlantic University Gulf Coast State College
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Overview

 FAU GCSC
Location Boca Raton, FL Panama City, FL
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 29,592 4,694
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #738
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fau.edu gulfcoast.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 FAU GCSC
Tuition (In State) $2,522 $1,750
Tuition (Out of State) $14,374 $7,065
Room & Board $12,536 $9,378
Avg Net Price $9,711 $5,725
Avg Grant Aid $10,334 $6,024
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 99%

Admission

 FAU GCSC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 24,268 -
Admitted 19,734 -
Acceptance Rate 81.3% Open
Enrolled % 22.1% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.74 -
Typical High School Grades A- -
Admissions Standards Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/25
SAT Range 1020/1200
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

 FAU GCSC
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (51%)
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • Education (3%)
  • Work and Family Studies (1%)

Outcomes

 FAU GCSC
Graduation Rate 43% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,200 $32,000
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 39%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,861 $9,000
Median Loan Payment $174 $93

Diversity

 FAU GCSC
% Men 42% 36%
% Women 58% 64%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 43% 72%
% Black 20% 11%
% Hispanic 26% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

 FAU GCSC
% In-State 72% 93%
% Out-of-State 22% 7%

Campus

 FAU GCSC
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Florida Atlantic University is larger than than GCSC based on total student enrollment (29,592 students vs. 4,694 students)

FAU vs. GCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or GCSC?

  • Florida Atlantic University is 44.1% more expensive to attend than GCSC for in-state tuition ($2,522.00 vs. $1,750.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 103.5% higher at FAU than Gulf Coast State College ($14,374.00 vs. $7,065.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Gulf Coast State College than FAU ($5,725 vs. $9,711)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gulf Coast State College are 33.7% lower than costs at Florida Atlantic University ($9,378 vs. $12,536)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than Florida Atlantic University (99% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 71.5% larger than aid received Gulf Coast State College ($10,334 vs. $6,024)

Which college is harder to get into, FAU or GCSC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between GCSC or FAU .

FAU vs. GCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, FAU or GCSC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between GCSC and FAU.

  • Graduates from Florida Atlantic University earn on average $14,200 more per year than GCSC graduates after ten years. ($46,200 vs. $32,000)
  • Gulf Coast State College students graduate with a $7,861 lower median federal student loan debt than FAU graduates. ($9,000 vs. $16,861)
  • GCSC graduates are paying $81 less per month on federal student loans than FAU graduates. ($93 vs. $174)
  • More FAU 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/