GCSC vs. Northern Michigan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL with Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Michigan University is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (7,409 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); Northern Michigan University is in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; Northern Michigan University 18:1.

GCSC vs. Northern Michigan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or Northern Michigan University? 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 Northern Michigan University ($7,729 vs. $15,707).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Michigan University are 1.5% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($13,274 vs. $13,482).
• Northern Michigan University is 502.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $11,907 more per year; $14,277.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129% higher at Northern Michigan University than at Gulf Coast State College (about $11,138 more per year; $19,773.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Michigan University than at Gulf Coast State College (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Michigan University students is 90.8% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($12,012 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. Northern Michigan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCSC or Northern Michigan University? 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 Northern Michigan University and GCSC.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; Northern Michigan University - Test-free.

GCSC vs. Northern Michigan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and Northern Michigan University? 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 Northern Michigan 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 $13,292 lower median loan debt than Northern Michigan University graduates ($9,000 vs. $22,292).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Michigan University graduates ($93 vs. $230).
• More Northern Michigan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.