University of West Alabama vs. GCSC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL with Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of West Alabama is larger than GCSC based on total student enrollment (6,820 students vs. 5,426 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); Gulf Coast State College is in Panama City, FL (Small City setting).
• University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama 19:1; Gulf Coast State College 22:1.

University of West Alabama vs. GCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama ($7,729 vs. $13,954).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 39% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($8,230 vs. $13,482).
• University of West Alabama is 363.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $8,620 more per year; $10,990.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.7% higher at University of West Alabama than at Gulf Coast State College (about $11,455 more per year; $20,090.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of West Alabama than at Gulf Coast State College (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of West Alabama students is 43.6% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($9,037 vs. $6,295).

University of West Alabama vs. GCSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama.

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 860/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of West Alabama - Test optional; GCSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027.

University of West Alabama vs. GCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $17,489 lower median loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates ($9,000 vs. $26,489).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $180 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Alabama graduates ($93 vs. $273).
• More GCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 36%)

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.