GCSC vs. UCO-Central

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Oklahoma is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (12,554 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 Oklahoma is in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; University of Central Oklahoma 18:1.

GCSC vs. UCO-Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or UCO-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 UCO-Central ($7,729 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 28.1% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($9,700 vs. $13,482).
• University of Central Oklahoma is 272.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $6,448 more per year; $8,818.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.2% higher at UCO-Central than at Gulf Coast State College (about $11,069 more per year; $19,704.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at University of Central Oklahoma (91% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students is 13.6% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($7,152 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. UCO-Central Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCSC or UCO-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 UCO-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 Oklahoma 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; UCO-Central - Required.

GCSC vs. UCO-Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and UCO-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 Oklahoma earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $11,393 lower median loan debt than UCO-Central graduates ($9,000 vs. $20,393).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCO-Central graduates ($93 vs. $210).
• More UCO-Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.