Gulf Coast State College

5230 West U.S. Highway 98
Panama City, FL 32401
Top-Ranked (2026): View Rankings
  • At Gulf Coast Community College, a comprehensive public institution, we provide high quality, affordable educational, training, and enrichment programs. We serve primarily the residents of Florida’s Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties.

School Highlights

Gulf Coast State College serves 5,426 students (39% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 34:1 is higher than the state community college average of 31:1.
Minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 67%.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Enrollment: 5,426 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,765
  • Out-state tuition: $10,072
  • Student-teacher ratio: 34:1
  • Minority enrollment: 31%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Gulf Coast State College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Florida for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size

School Overview

The teacher population of 158 teachers has declined by 62% over five years.
Gulf Coast State College
(FL) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
0
Institution Level
Four or more years
0
Institution Control
Public
0
Total Faculty
158 staff
39 staff
Number of Programs Offered
-2
16
School Calendar

Student Body

The student population of Gulf Coast State College has grown by 23% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 34:1 has increased from 11:1 over five years.
The Gulf Coast State College diversity score of 0.50 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has grown by 10% over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,426 students
1,014 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
34:1
31:1
# Full-Time Students
2,107 students
559 students
# Part-Time Students
3,319 students
455 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
330 students
386 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
2,107 students
552 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
348 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,319 students
553 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
85 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
174 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
% Asian
3%
3%
% Hispanic
8%
32%
% Black
11%
20%
% White
69%
33%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
4%
% Non Resident races
1%
3%
% Unknown races
3%
5%
Diversity Score
0.50
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
38%
44%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
38%
43%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$30,800
$31,500

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $2,765 is less than the state average of $4,712. The in-state tuition has grown by 16% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $10,072 is less than the state average of $11,524. The out-state tuition has grown by 16% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,765
$4,712
Out-State Tuition Fees
$10,072
$11,524
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
93%
85%
Median Debt for Graduates
$6,700
$10,286
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,500
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
n/a
90%
SAT Reading
n/a
487
SAT Math
n/a
473
ACT Composite
n/a
20
ACT English
n/a
21
ACT Math
n/a
19
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • Gulf Coast State College provides a first-class education with an emphasis on success. With some of the lowest tuition rates in Florida, Gulf Coast offers over 150 programs focused on quality and practicality.The College offers four bachelor’s degrees in Digital Media, Technology Management, Nursing and Organizational Management with specializations in Entrepreneurship, Health Services Administration and Emergency Services Administration. Our students may pursue an Associate in Arts degree with 75 different transfer-tracks, workforce specific Associate in Science degrees and technical certifications, including the Educator Preparation Institute.We serve students in traditional classes, online courses, Corporate College and professional training courses with classes at convenient times and in multiple locations. In addition to the main campus in Panama City, the College holds classes at Tyndall Air Force Base, the North Bay Campus in Southport and the Gulf/Franklin Campus in Port St. Joe. The College is also recognized as one of the top-tier military friendly colleges in the country, providing a supportive environment for active duty, reservist and dependents as well as veterans. Our goal at Gulf Coast State College is simple – to offer the highest quality, accessible and affordable education and training. Our students really start here and go anywhere!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Gulf Coast State College cost?
Gulf Coast State College's tuition is approximately $2,765 for In-State students and $10,072 for Out-State students.
What is Gulf Coast State College's ranking?
Gulf Coast State College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Florida for: Largest student body and Least debt for graduating students.

Recent Articles

Community College vs University: Key Differences in 2026
Community College vs University: Key Differences in 2026
Compare community colleges and universities in 2026, including cost, admissions, degrees, campus life, and transfer opportunities.
AI-Augmented Careers and Community Colleges
AI-Augmented Careers and Community Colleges
Explore AI-augmented careers and how community colleges prepare students with practical skills, credentials, and employer-aligned training.
Community Colleges and the Creator Economy
Community Colleges and the Creator Economy
Explore how community colleges prepare students for YouTube, podcasting, content creation, and creator economy careers.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Enrollment: 5,426 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,765
  • Out-state tuition: $10,072
  • Student-teacher ratio: 34:1
  • Minority enrollment: 31%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Florida public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,712 per year for in-state students and $11,524 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $15,502 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Florida is 76%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Quick Links