GCSC vs. Palm Beach Atlantic

Comparable Facts

Compare Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL with Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gulf Coast State College is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (5,426 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gulf Coast State College is located in Panama City, FL (Small City setting); Palm Beach Atlantic University is in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1.

GCSC vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or Palm Beach Atlantic? 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 Palm Beach Atlantic ($7,729 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gulf Coast State College are 2.3% lower than at Palm Beach Atlantic University ($13,482 vs. $13,800).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 1,615.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $38,280 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 370.8% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at Gulf Coast State College (about $32,015 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at Gulf Coast State College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 257.3% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($22,493 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCSC or Palm Beach Atlantic? 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 Palm Beach Atlantic and GCSC.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPalm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPalm Beach Atlantic University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional.

GCSC vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and Palm Beach Atlantic? 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 Palm Beach Atlantic University earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $13,704 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($9,000 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $141 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($93 vs. $234).
• More Palm Beach Atlantic 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.