Gordon vs. Bethel

Comparable Facts

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

Gordon State College is larger than Bethel based on total student enrollment (3,179 students vs. 2,936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Bethel University is in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Bethel University 15:1.

Gordon vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or Bethel? 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 Bethel ($7,807 vs. $13,112).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 0.9% lower than at Bethel University ($10,444 vs. $10,538).
• Bethel University is 415.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $15,084 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.9% higher at Bethel than at Gordon State College (about $7,764 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethel University than at Gordon State College (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 173.9% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($17,700 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. Bethel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gordon State College (1010) is 30 points higher than at Bethel (980).
• Incoming Gordon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at Bethel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; Bethel University 830/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Bethel University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; Bethel - Test optional.
• Gordon has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than Bethel (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 32.2% at Bethel.

Gordon vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and Bethel? 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 Bethel University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $10,750 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($17,500 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($180 vs. $292).
• More Bethel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (33% 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.