GCSC vs. Alcorn State University

Comparable Facts

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

Gulf Coast State College is larger than Alcorn State University based on total student enrollment (5,426 students vs. 2,995 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gulf Coast State College is located in Panama City, FL (Small City setting); Alcorn State University is in Alcorn State, MS (Distant Rural setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Alcorn State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; Alcorn State University 16:1.

GCSC vs. Alcorn State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or Alcorn State University? 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 Alcorn State University ($7,729 vs. $12,376).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alcorn State University are 9.5% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($12,204 vs. $13,482).
• Alcorn State University is 270.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $6,415 more per year; $8,785.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Alcorn State University than at Gulf Coast State College (about $150 more per year; $8,785.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alcorn State University than at Gulf Coast State College (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alcorn State University students is 80.7% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($11,375 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. Alcorn State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCSC or Alcorn State University? 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 Alcorn State University and GCSC.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAlcorn State University 670/998.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAlcorn State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; Alcorn State University - Required.

GCSC vs. Alcorn State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and Alcorn State University? 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 Alcorn State University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,600 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $19,250 lower median loan debt than Alcorn State University graduates ($9,000 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $199 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alcorn State University graduates ($93 vs. $292).
• More GCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alcorn State University students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 34%)

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.