GCSC vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Should I go to Gulf Coast State College or Southwest Minnesota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GCSC or Southwest Minnesota State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Minnesota State University-Mankato KU Winona State University Chipola
Gulf Coast State College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University comparison
Gulf Coast State College Southwest Minnesota State University College 3 College 4
Gulf Coast State College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

GCSC Southwest Minnesota State University
Location Panama City, FL Marshall, MN
Setting Small City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 4,694 6,930
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #948
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gulfcoast.edu smsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GCSC Southwest Minnesota State University
Tuition (In State) $1,750 $8,840
Tuition (Out of State) $7,065 $8,840
Room & Board $9,378 $9,258
Avg Net Price $5,725 $15,004
Avg Grant Aid $6,024 $7,389
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

GCSC Southwest Minnesota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 1,558
Admitted - 1,427
Acceptance Rate Open 91.6%
Enrolled % Open 22.8%
Avg High School GPA - 3.21
Typical High School Grades - B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 935/1102
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2024

Academics

GCSC Southwest Minnesota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (51%)
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • Education (3%)
  • Work and Family Studies (1%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

GCSC Southwest Minnesota State University
Graduation Rate - 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $32,000 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 39% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $9,000 $21,678
Median Loan Payment $93 $224

Diversity

GCSC Southwest Minnesota State University
% Men 36% 38%
% Women 64% 62%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 80%
% Black 11% 5%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 0% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

GCSC Southwest Minnesota State University
% In-State 93% 74%
% Out-of-State 7% 20%

Campus

GCSC Southwest Minnesota State University
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than GCSC based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 4,694 students)

GCSC vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or Southwest Minnesota State University?

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is 405.1% more expensive to attend than GCSC for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $1,750.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.1% higher at Southwest Minnesota State University than Gulf Coast State College ($8,840.00 vs. $7,065.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Gulf Coast State College than Southwest Minnesota State University ($5,725 vs. $15,004)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 1.3% lower than costs at Gulf Coast State College ($9,258 vs. $9,378)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gulf Coast State College than Southwest Minnesota State University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 22.7% larger than aid received Gulf Coast State College ($7,389 vs. $6,024)

Which college is harder to get into, GCSC or Southwest Minnesota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southwest Minnesota State University or GCSC .

GCSC vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GCSC or Southwest Minnesota State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Southwest Minnesota State University and GCSC.

  • Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn on average $9,200 more per year than GCSC graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $32,000)
  • Gulf Coast State College students graduate with a $12,678 lower median federal student loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates. ($9,000 vs. $21,678)
  • GCSC graduates are paying $131 less per month on federal student loans than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates. ($93 vs. $224)
  • More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCSC students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 39%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/