GCSC vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

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

Gulf Coast State College is larger than WSSU based on total student enrollment (5,426 students vs. 4,782 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gulf Coast State College is located in Panama City, FL (Small City setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

GCSC vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or WSSU? 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 WSSU ($7,729 vs. $12,989).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 14.8% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($11,484 vs. $13,482).
• Winston Salem State University is 158.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $3,756 more per year; $6,126.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.3% higher at WSSU than at Gulf Coast State College (about $8,147 more per year; $16,782.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College as at Winston Salem State University (91% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Winston Salem State University students is 59.8% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($10,057 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

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

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.

GCSC vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and WSSU? 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 Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $16,663 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($9,000 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $172 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($93 vs. $265).
• More GCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 33%)

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.