GCSC vs. TSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL with Texas Southern University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Southern University is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (8,704 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); Texas Southern University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; Texas Southern University 19:1.

GCSC vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or TSU? 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 TSU ($7,729 vs. $13,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Southern University are 5.1% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($12,800 vs. $13,482).
• Texas Southern University is 287% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $6,803 more per year; $9,173.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148.7% higher at TSU than at Gulf Coast State College (about $12,838 more per year; $21,473.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at Gulf Coast State College (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Southern University students is 56% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($9,823 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. TSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCSC or TSU? 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 TSU and GCSC.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Southern University 800/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Southern University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; TSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TSU Jul 15, 2027.

GCSC vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and TSU? 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 Texas Southern University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $20,358 lower median loan debt than TSU graduates ($9,000 vs. $29,358).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $210 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSU graduates ($93 vs. $303).
• More GCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 22%)

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.