GCSC vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

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

Gulf Coast State College is larger than WVSU based on total student enrollment (5,426 students vs. 3,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gulf Coast State College is located in Panama City, FL (Small City setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

GCSC vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or WVSU? 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 WVSU ($7,729 vs. $11,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gulf Coast State College are 0.3% lower than at West Virginia State University ($13,482 vs. $13,522).
• West Virginia State University is 303.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $7,200 more per year; $9,570.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.6% higher at WVSU than at Gulf Coast State College (about $6,355 more per year; $14,990.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at West Virginia State University (91% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia State University students is 42.9% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($8,993 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

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

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; WVSU - Test optional.

GCSC vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University earn a median of about $700 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,700 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 WVSU graduates ($9,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $147 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVSU graduates ($93 vs. $240).
• More GCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 35%)

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.