GCSC vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

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

Idaho State University is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (13,061 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); Idaho State University is in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; Idaho State University 14:1.

GCSC vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or ISU? 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 ISU ($7,729 vs. $12,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 41.5% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($7,882 vs. $13,482).
• Idaho State University is 263.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $6,240 more per year; $8,610.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 221% higher at ISU than at Gulf Coast State College (about $19,085 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College as at Idaho State University (91% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Idaho State University students is 46.4% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($9,217 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. ISU Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; ISU - Open admission.

GCSC vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and ISU? 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 Idaho State University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $13,950 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($9,000 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $144 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($93 vs. $237).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.