GCSC vs. CAU

Comparable Facts

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

Gulf Coast State College is larger than CAU based on total student enrollment (5,426 students vs. 4,252 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gulf Coast State College is located in Panama City, FL (Small City setting); Clark Atlanta University is in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; Clark Atlanta University 16:1.

GCSC vs. CAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or CAU? 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 CAU ($7,729 vs. $31,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark Atlanta University are 5.4% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($12,748 vs. $13,482).
• Clark Atlanta University is 1,094.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $25,940 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 227.9% higher at CAU than at Gulf Coast State College (about $19,675 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at Clark Atlanta University (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clark Atlanta University students is 97.8% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($12,453 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. CAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCSC or CAU? 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 CAU and GCSC.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsClark Atlanta University 880/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsClark Atlanta University 16/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; CAU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027.

GCSC vs. CAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and CAU? 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 Clark Atlanta University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $22,000 lower median loan debt than CAU graduates ($9,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $227 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CAU graduates ($93 vs. $320).
• More GCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 30%)

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.