CAU vs. Gordon

Comparable Facts

Compare Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA with Gordon State College in Barnesville, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Clark Atlanta University is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (4,252 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Gordon State College is in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting).
• Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark Atlanta University 16:1; Gordon State College 20:1.

CAU vs. Gordon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or Gordon? 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 Gordon State College than CAU ($7,807 vs. $31,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 18.1% lower than at Clark Atlanta University ($10,444 vs. $12,748).
• Clark Atlanta University is 680.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $24,682 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 158.6% higher at CAU than at Gordon State College (about $17,362 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Clark Atlanta University as at Gordon State College (89% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clark Atlanta University students is 92.7% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($12,453 vs. $6,462).

CAU vs. Gordon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CAU or Gordon? 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 Gordon and CAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gordon State College (1010) is 10 points higher than at CAU (1000).
• Incoming Gordon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at CAU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 880/1120; Gordon State College 890/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 16/20; Gordon State College 15/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CAU - Test optional; Gordon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027.
• Gordon has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than CAU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.7% at CAU vs. 36.1% at Gordon.

CAU vs. Gordon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CAU and Gordon? 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 Clark Atlanta University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $13,500 lower median loan debt than CAU graduates ($17,500 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CAU graduates ($180 vs. $320).
• More CAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 26%)

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.