GCSC vs. Valencia College

Comparable Facts

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

Valencia College is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (47,425 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); Valencia College is in Orlando, FL (Midsize City setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Valencia College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; Valencia College 27:1.

GCSC vs. Valencia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or Valencia College? 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 Valencia College ($7,729 vs. $11,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gulf Coast State College are 7.3% lower than at Valencia College ($13,482 vs. $14,536).
• Valencia College is 12.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $294 more per year; $2,664.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.9% higher at Valencia College than at Gulf Coast State College (about $941 more per year; $9,576.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at Valencia College (91% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valencia College students is 27.4% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($8,020 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. Valencia College Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; Valencia College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Valencia College Aug 7, 2027.

GCSC vs. Valencia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and Valencia College? 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 Valencia College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,900 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Valencia College graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than GCSC graduates ($8,250 vs. $9,000).
• Among borrowers, Valencia College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GCSC graduates ($85 vs. $93).
• More GCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Valencia College students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 31%)

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.