GCSC vs. Columbia Southern University

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

 GCSC Columbia Southern University
Location Panama City, FL Orange Beach, AL
Setting Small City Distant Rural
Enrollment 4,694 15,948
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website gulfcoast.edu columbiasouthern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GCSC Columbia Southern University
Tuition (In State) $1,750 $5,880
Tuition (Out of State) $7,065 $5,880
Room & Board $9,378 $8,136
Avg Net Price $5,725 $12,366
Avg Grant Aid $6,024 $4,154
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 42%

Admission

 GCSC Columbia Southern University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - -
Admitted - -
Acceptance Rate Open Open
Enrolled % Open Open
Avg High School GPA - -
Typical High School Grades - -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores
Application Deadline

Academics

 GCSC Columbia Southern University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 28:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (51%)
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • Education (3%)
  • Work and Family Studies (1%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (35%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Engineering Technology (17%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (4%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

Outcomes

 GCSC Columbia Southern University
Graduation Rate - 22%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $32,000 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 39% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $9,000 $16,404
Median Loan Payment $93 $169

Diversity

 GCSC Columbia Southern University
% Men 36% 62%
% Women 64% 38%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 72% 58%
% Black 11% 23%
% Hispanic 6% 7%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 7%

Students

 GCSC Columbia Southern University
% In-State 93% 8%
% Out-of-State 7% 90%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia Southern University is larger than than GCSC based on total student enrollment (15,948 students vs. 4,694 students)

GCSC vs. Columbia Southern University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or Columbia Southern University?

  • Columbia Southern University is 236% more expensive to attend than GCSC for in-state tuition ($5,880.00 vs. $1,750.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.2% higher at GCSC than Columbia Southern University ($7,065.00 vs. $5,880.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Gulf Coast State College than Columbia Southern University ($5,725 vs. $12,366)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Southern University are 15.3% lower than costs at Gulf Coast State College ($8,136 vs. $9,378)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than Columbia Southern University (99% vs. 42%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gulf Coast State College students is 45% larger than aid received Columbia Southern University ($6,024 vs. $4,154)

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

GCSC vs. Columbia Southern University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GCSC or Columbia Southern 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 Columbia Southern University and GCSC.

  • Gulf Coast State College students graduate with a $7,404 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia Southern University graduates. ($9,000 vs. $16,404)
  • GCSC graduates are paying $76 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia Southern University graduates. ($93 vs. $169)
  • More Columbia Southern University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 39%)

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