GCSC vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

Compare Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL with University of Wisconsin La Crosse in La Crosse, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (10,446 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 Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

GCSC vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or UW-La Crosse? 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 UW-La Crosse ($7,729 vs. $14,712).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 35.5% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($8,702 vs. $13,482).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 324.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $7,700 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 126% higher at UW-La Crosse than at Gulf Coast State College (about $10,882 more per year; $19,517.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (91% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gulf Coast State College students is 39.9% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($6,295 vs. $4,499).

GCSC vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GCSC or UW-La Crosse? 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 UW-La Crosse and GCSC.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.

GCSC vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and UW-La Crosse? 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 Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $14,250 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($9,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $147 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-La Crosse graduates ($93 vs. $240).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.