GCSC vs. Central

Comparable Facts

Compare Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL with University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Missouri is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (12,857 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); University of Central Missouri is in Warrensburg, MO (Rural Fringe setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Missouri is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; University of Central Missouri 18:1.

GCSC vs. Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or Central? 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 Central ($7,729 vs. $14,943).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Missouri are 20.3% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($10,740 vs. $13,482).
• University of Central Missouri is 324.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $7,680 more per year; $10,050.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115.4% higher at Central than at Gulf Coast State College (about $9,965 more per year; $18,600.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Missouri than at Gulf Coast State College (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Missouri students is 24.1% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($7,811 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. Central Admissions comparison

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

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Central Missouri 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; Central - Test optional.

GCSC vs. Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and Central? 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 University of Central Missouri earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $13,441 lower median loan debt than Central graduates ($9,000 vs. $22,441).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $139 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central graduates ($93 vs. $232).
• More Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.