GCSC vs. Clayton State University

Should I go to Gulf Coast State College or Clayton State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GCSC or Clayton State University 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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Gulf Coast State College vs. Clayton State University comparison
Gulf Coast State College Clayton State University College 3 College 4
Gulf Coast State College Clayton  State University
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Overview

GCSC Clayton State University
Location Panama City, FL Morrow, GA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,694 5,847
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #988
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gulfcoast.edu clayton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GCSC Clayton State University
Tuition (In State) $1,750 $4,064
Tuition (Out of State) $7,065 $14,786
Room & Board $9,378 $10,980
Avg Net Price $5,725 $9,792
Avg Grant Aid $6,024 $8,529
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

GCSC Clayton State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 2,255
Admitted - 1,270
Acceptance Rate Open 56.3%
Enrolled % Open 45.6%
Avg High School GPA - 3.0
Typical High School Grades - B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/22
SAT Range 890/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 17, 2025

Academics

GCSC Clayton State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (51%)
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • Education (3%)
  • Work and Family Studies (1%)
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

GCSC Clayton State University
Graduation Rate - 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $32,000 $41,800
Making Student Loan Payments 39% 35%
Median Student Loan Debt $9,000 $27,500
Median Loan Payment $93 $284

Diversity

GCSC Clayton State University
% Men 36% 31%
% Women 64% 69%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 72% 18%
% Black 11% 66%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 4%

Students

GCSC Clayton State University
% In-State 93% 93%
% Out-of-State 7% 4%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Clayton State University is larger than than GCSC based on total student enrollment (5,847 students vs. 4,694 students)

GCSC vs. Clayton State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or Clayton State University?

  • Clayton State University is 132.2% more expensive to attend than GCSC for in-state tuition ($4,064.00 vs. $1,750.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 109.3% higher at Clayton State University than Gulf Coast State College ($14,786.00 vs. $7,065.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Gulf Coast State College than Clayton State University ($5,725 vs. $9,792)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gulf Coast State College are 17.1% lower than costs at Clayton State University ($9,378 vs. $10,980)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Gulf Coast State College as Clayton State University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clayton State University students is 41.6% larger than aid received Gulf Coast State College ($8,529 vs. $6,024)

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

GCSC vs. Clayton State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GCSC or Clayton State University? 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 Clayton State University and GCSC.

  • Graduates from Clayton State University earn on average $9,800 more per year than GCSC graduates after ten years. ($41,800 vs. $32,000)
  • Gulf Coast State College students graduate with a $18,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Clayton State University graduates. ($9,000 vs. $27,500)
  • GCSC graduates are paying $191 less per month on federal student loans than Clayton State University graduates. ($93 vs. $284)
  • More GCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 35%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/