Columbus State vs. Gordon

Comparable Facts

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

Columbus State University is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Columbus State vs. Gordon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State 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 Columbus State ($7,807 vs. $12,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 10.9% lower than at Columbus State University ($10,444 vs. $11,720).
• Columbus State University is 62.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $2,270 more per year; $5,898.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.9% higher at Columbus State than at Gordon State College (about $6,662 more per year; $17,610.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbus State University as at Gordon State College (89% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus State University students is 39.3% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($9,003 vs. $6,462).

Columbus State vs. Gordon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State 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 Columbus State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gordon State College (1010) is 80 points higher than at Columbus State (930).
• Incoming Columbus State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 19) as students at Gordon (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 800/1060; Gordon State College 890/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 16/22; Gordon State College 15/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus State - Test optional; Gordon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027.
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Gordon (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 36.1% at Gordon.

Columbus State vs. Gordon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbus State 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 Columbus State University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($17,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($180 vs. $268).
• More Columbus State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (37% 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.