GCSC vs. South Carolina State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL with South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gulf Coast State College is larger than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (5,426 students vs. 3,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gulf Coast State College is located in Panama City, FL (Small City setting); South Carolina State University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; South Carolina State University 19:1.

GCSC vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or South Carolina State 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 South Carolina State University ($7,729 vs. $17,965).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 33.2% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($9,000 vs. $13,482).
• South Carolina State University is 366.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $8,690 more per year; $11,060.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 151.9% higher at South Carolina State University than at Gulf Coast State College (about $13,115 more per year; $21,750.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Carolina State University than at Gulf Coast State College (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by South Carolina State University students is 83.9% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($11,579 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. South Carolina State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCSC or South Carolina State 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 South Carolina State University and GCSC.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouth Carolina State University 800/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouth Carolina State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; South Carolina State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.

GCSC vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and South Carolina State 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 Gulf Coast State College earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,000 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $24,205 lower median loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates ($9,000 vs. $33,205).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $250 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Carolina State University graduates ($93 vs. $343).
• More GCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 27%)

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.