GCSC vs. Saint Johns River State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL with Saint Johns River State College in Palatka, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Johns River State College is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (7,927 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); Saint Johns River State College is in Palatka, FL (Distant Town setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Johns River State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; Saint Johns River State College 19:1.

GCSC vs. Saint Johns River State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or Saint Johns River 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 Saint Johns River State College than GCSC ($6,712 vs. $7,729).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Johns River State College are 6.5% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($12,604 vs. $13,482).
• Saint Johns River State College is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $221 more per year; $2,591.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Saint Johns River State College than at Gulf Coast State College (about $700 more per year; $9,335.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at Saint Johns River State College (91% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Johns River State College students is 17.3% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($7,384 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. Saint Johns River State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCSC or Saint Johns River 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 Saint Johns River 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; Saint Johns River State College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Johns River State College Oct 10, 2026.

GCSC vs. Saint Johns River State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and Saint Johns River 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 Saint Johns River State College earn a median of about $300 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,300 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $2,651 lower median loan debt than Saint Johns River State College graduates ($9,000 vs. $11,651).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Johns River State College graduates ($93 vs. $120).
• More GCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Johns River State College students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 32%)

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.