UAA vs. GCSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Alaska Anchorage is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (10,493 students vs. 5,426 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alaska Anchorage is located in Anchorage, AK (Large City setting); Gulf Coast State College is in Panama City, FL (Small City setting).
• University of Alaska Anchorage is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alaska Anchorage 11:1; Gulf Coast State College 22:1.

UAA vs. GCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAA 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 UAA ($7,729 vs. $16,039).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gulf Coast State College are 5.2% lower than at University of Alaska Anchorage ($13,482 vs. $14,216).
• University of Alaska Anchorage is 226.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $5,368 more per year; $7,738.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 146.9% higher at UAA than at Gulf Coast State College (about $12,687 more per year; $21,322.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than at University of Alaska Anchorage (91% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alaska Anchorage students is 14.7% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($7,221 vs. $6,295).

UAA vs. GCSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAA 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 UAA.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAA - Open admission; GCSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UAA Aug 15, 2027.

UAA vs. GCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAA 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 University of Alaska Anchorage earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $9,704 lower median loan debt than UAA graduates ($9,000 vs. $18,704).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UAA graduates ($93 vs. $193).
• More UAA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.