GCSC vs. UMES

Comparable Facts

Compare Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL with University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gulf Coast State College is larger than UMES based on total student enrollment (5,426 students vs. 3,177 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gulf Coast State College is located in Panama City, FL (Small City setting); University of Maryland Eastern Shore is in Princess Anne, MD (Distant Town setting).
• Gulf Coast State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gulf Coast State College 22:1; University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11:1.

GCSC vs. UMES Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCSC or UMES? 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 UMES ($7,729 vs. $13,311).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Eastern Shore are 15.8% lower than at Gulf Coast State College ($11,351 vs. $13,482).
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore is 283% more expensive for in-state tuition than GCSC (about $6,706 more per year; $9,076.00 vs. $2,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133% higher at UMES than at Gulf Coast State College (about $11,487 more per year; $20,122.00 vs. $8,635.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Eastern Shore than at Gulf Coast State College (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland Eastern Shore students is 102.2% larger than aid received by Gulf Coast State College students ($12,728 vs. $6,295).

GCSC vs. UMES Admissions comparison

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

• Gulf Coast State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Maryland Eastern Shore 840/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Maryland Eastern Shore 16/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GCSC - Open admission; UMES - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMES Jun 1, 2027.

GCSC vs. UMES Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GCSC and UMES? 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 Maryland Eastern Shore earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than GCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gulf Coast State College graduates have a $18,000 lower median loan debt than UMES graduates ($9,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, GCSC graduates have an estimated $186 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMES graduates ($93 vs. $279).
• More GCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMES students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 23%)

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.