GCSC vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL with Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee State University is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (6,310 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); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

GCSC vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University ($7,729 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 17.3% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($11,150 vs. $13,482).
• Tennessee State University is 263.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $6,246 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 159.6% higher at Tennessee State University than at Gulf Coast State College (about $13,781 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at Tennessee State University (91% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 53.5% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($9,661 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; Tennessee State University - Open admission.

GCSC vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $19,000 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($9,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $196 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($93 vs. $289).
• More GCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 29%)

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.