Photo: The Bushranger · CC BY-SA 4.0The nearest college is 25.3 miles from Mexico Beach
No college is within 15 miles of Mexico Beach. The nearest is Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL (3,747 students on campus).
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Mexico Beach. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Mexico Beach
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
The nearest college to Mexico Beach
No college is within 15 miles, so this is the closest one.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the nearest college. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $48–75k, where Mexico Beach’s median household income ($63,864) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
The same college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Questions about college near Mexico Beach
What is the closest college to Mexico Beach?
Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL, 25.3 miles in a straight line from the center of Mexico Beach. No college is within 15 miles.
What is the closest community college to Mexico Beach, and what does it cost?
Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, 25.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $2,370 a year for Florida residents; the federal net price, $4,709, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Gulf Coast State College cost if we live in Florida?
Tuition and fees are $2,370 a year in-state and $8,635 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $2,915 (under $30,000 income) to $12,071 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
How many Mexico Beach residents are in college?
About 2 of every 100 (Census, 2020–24), below Florida (6). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Mexico Beach. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →