Head-to-head · 2026
Florida International University vs Gulf Coast State College
Compare average net price ($9,288 at Florida International University; $4,709 at Gulf Coast State College), ROI score (16.22 vs 20.36), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($60,249 vs $38,359), and admissions context (54.7% at Florida International University; Open / not reported at Gulf Coast State College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Florida International University | Gulf Coast State College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 16.22 | 20.36 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $9,288 | $4,709 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $37,152 | $18,836 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $6,565 | $2,370 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $18,964 | $8,635 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $60,249 ✓ | $38,359 |
| Acceptance rate | 54.7% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 74.4% ✓ | 43.5% |
| Retention rate | 91.9% | — |
| Median debt | $16,500 | $7,147 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 39,508 | 3,934 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1163 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Florida International University | Gulf Coast State College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,003 | $2,915 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,873 | $4,369 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $10,925 | $6,483 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $14,568 | $9,806 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,200 | $12,071 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Florida International University | Gulf Coast State College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.2% | 42.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.4% | 17.7% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.3% | 14% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6.2% | 2.7% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3.5% | 5.2% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.8% | 0.2% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 0.1% | 1.9% |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 0.3% | 0.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Gulf Coast State College reports the lower average net price by $4,579 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $18,316 difference over four years ($18,836 vs $37,152).
Florida International University reports $21,890 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($60,249 vs $38,359). This is not earnings for a specific major.
Retention data is incomplete for at least one school. Compare the available graduation, debt, price and admissions context without treating a missing field as an advantage.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Florida International University vs Gulf Coast State College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Gulf Coast State College is cheaper — average net price $4,709 per year vs $9,288 at Florida International University. The annual difference of $4,579 adds up to about $18,316 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Florida International University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $60,249 vs $38,359 at Gulf Coast State College. The gap in the federal data is $21,890. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.