SCSU vs. GCSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT with Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 5,426 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Gulf Coast State College is in Panama City, FL (Small City setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Gulf Coast State College 22:1.

SCSU vs. GCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU or GCSC? 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 SCSU ($7,729 vs. $19,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gulf Coast State College are 9.7% lower than at Southern Connecticut State University ($13,482 vs. $14,938).
• Southern Connecticut State University is 467% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $11,068 more per year; $13,438.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 217.1% higher at SCSU than at Gulf Coast State College (about $18,743 more per year; $27,378.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at Southern Connecticut State University (91% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students is 58.5% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($9,977 vs. $6,295).

SCSU vs. GCSC Admissions comparison

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

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; GCSC - Open admission.

SCSU vs. GCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU and GCSC? 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 Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 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 SCSU graduates ($9,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $147 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCSU graduates ($93 vs. $240).
• More SCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.