GCSC vs. St. Thomas University

Comparable Facts

Compare Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL with St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. Thomas University is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (7,652 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); St. Thomas University is in Miami Gardens, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Thomas University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; St. Thomas University 17:1.

GCSC vs. St. Thomas University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or St. Thomas 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 St. Thomas University ($7,729 vs. $27,844).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Thomas University are 2% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($13,210 vs. $13,482).
• St. Thomas University is 1,367.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $32,400 more per year; $34,770.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 302.7% higher at St. Thomas University than at Gulf Coast State College (about $26,135 more per year; $34,770.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Thomas University than at Gulf Coast State College (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. Thomas University students is 271% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($23,356 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. St. Thomas University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCSC or St. Thomas 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 St. Thomas University and GCSC.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt. Thomas University 860/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt. Thomas University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; St. Thomas University - Test-free.

GCSC vs. St. Thomas University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and St. Thomas 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 St. Thomas University earn a median of about $24,400 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,400 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $13,753 lower median loan debt than St. Thomas University graduates ($9,000 vs. $22,753).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $142 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Thomas University graduates ($93 vs. $235).
• More St. Thomas University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.