GCSC vs. FGCU

Comparable Facts

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

Florida Gulf Coast University is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (16,612 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); Florida Gulf Coast University is in Fort Myers, FL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; Florida Gulf Coast University 20:1.

GCSC vs. FGCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or FGCU? 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 FGCU ($7,729 vs. $12,863).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Gulf Coast University are 17.6% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($11,107 vs. $13,482).
• Florida Gulf Coast University is 158.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $3,748 more per year; $6,118.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 191.4% higher at FGCU than at Gulf Coast State College (about $16,527 more per year; $25,162.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at Florida Gulf Coast University (91% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Gulf Coast University students is 35.3% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($8,515 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. FGCU Admissions comparison

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

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFlorida Gulf Coast University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFlorida Gulf Coast University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; FGCU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FGCU Nov 1, 2026.

GCSC vs. FGCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and FGCU? 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 Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of about $13,200 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than FGCU graduates ($9,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FGCU graduates ($93 vs. $201).
• More FGCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.