GCSC vs. Northwest Florida State College

Comparable Facts

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

Gulf Coast State College is larger than Northwest Florida State College based on total student enrollment (5,426 students vs. 4,752 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gulf Coast State College is located in Panama City, FL (Small City setting); Northwest Florida State College is in Niceville, FL (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest Florida State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; Northwest Florida State College 22:1.

GCSC vs. Northwest Florida State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or Northwest Florida State College? 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 Northwest Florida State College than GCSC ($6,250 vs. $7,729).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Florida State College are 29.9% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($9,450 vs. $13,482).
• Northwest Florida State College is 9% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $213 more per year; $2,583.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.9% higher at Northwest Florida State College than at Gulf Coast State College (about $1,977 more per year; $10,612.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at Northwest Florida State College (91% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Florida State College students is 18.5% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($7,458 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. Northwest Florida State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCSC or Northwest Florida State College? 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 Northwest Florida State College 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; Northwest Florida State College - Open admission.

GCSC vs. Northwest Florida State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and Northwest Florida State College? 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 Northwest Florida State College earn a median of about $400 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,400 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest Florida State College graduates have a $4,630 lower median loan debt than GCSC graduates ($4,370 vs. $9,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwest Florida State College graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GCSC graduates ($45 vs. $93).
• More Northwest Florida State College 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.