GCSC vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

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

Valdosta State University is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (10,262 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); Valdosta State University is in Valdosta, GA (Small City setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Valdosta State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; Valdosta State University 17:1.

GCSC vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or VSU? 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 VSU ($7,729 vs. $11,144).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valdosta State University are 29.3% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($9,530 vs. $13,482).
• Valdosta State University is 158.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $3,754 more per year; $6,124.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.6% higher at VSU than at Gulf Coast State College (about $9,201 more per year; $17,836.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valdosta State University than at Gulf Coast State College (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valdosta State University students is 62.1% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($10,206 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsValdosta State University 920/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsValdosta State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; VSU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU Jun 15, 2027.

GCSC vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and VSU? 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 Valdosta State University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $16,000 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($9,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $165 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($93 vs. $258).
• More VSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.