DSC vs. Gordon

Comparable Facts

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

Dalton State College is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 3,179 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Gordon State College is in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Gordon State College 20:1.

DSC vs. Gordon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC 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 Dalton State College than Gordon ($5,625 vs. $7,807).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dalton State College are 0.2% lower than at Gordon State College ($10,419 vs. $10,444).
• Gordon State College is 8.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $292 more per year; $3,628.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Gordon than at Dalton State College (about $292 more per year; $10,948.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dalton State College than at Gordon State College (92% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dalton State College students is 3% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($6,654 vs. $6,462).

DSC vs. Gordon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC or Gordon? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Gordon and DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresGordon State College 890/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresGordon State College 15/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; Gordon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027.

DSC vs. Gordon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and Gordon? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Dalton State College's six-year graduation rate is 16%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Gordon.
• Graduates from Gordon State College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,100 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $2,613 lower median loan debt than Gordon graduates ($14,887 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gordon graduates ($153 vs. $180).
• More DSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.