GCSC vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Channel Islands is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (5,592 students vs. 5,426 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

GCSC vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or CSU Channel Islands? 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 CSU Channel Islands ($7,729 vs. $10,632).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gulf Coast State College are 13% lower than at California State University Channel Islands ($13,482 vs. $15,490).
• California State University Channel Islands is 202.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $4,789 more per year; $7,159.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.8% higher at CSU Channel Islands than at Gulf Coast State College (about $11,124 more per year; $19,759.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at California State University Channel Islands (91% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 99% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($12,528 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCSC or CSU Channel Islands? 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 CSU Channel Islands and GCSC.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.

GCSC vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and CSU Channel Islands? 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 Channel Islands earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $6,183 lower median loan debt than CSU Channel Islands graduates ($9,000 vs. $15,183).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Channel Islands graduates ($93 vs. $156).
• More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.