FAU vs. GCSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL with Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida Atlantic University is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (31,607 students vs. 5,426 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); Gulf Coast State College is in Panama City, FL (Small City setting).
• Florida Atlantic 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: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; Gulf Coast State College 22:1.

FAU vs. GCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU 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 FAU ($7,729 vs. $10,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gulf Coast State College are 15% lower than at Florida Atlantic University ($13,482 vs. $15,860).
• Florida Atlantic University is 105.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $2,509 more per year; $4,879.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.6% higher at FAU than at Gulf Coast State College (about $8,689 more per year; $17,324.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at Florida Atlantic University (91% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 72.5% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($10,857 vs. $6,295).

FAU vs. GCSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FAU 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 FAU.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FAU - Required; GCSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027.

FAU vs. GCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU 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 Florida Atlantic University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $7,861 lower median loan debt than FAU graduates ($9,000 vs. $16,861).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.