Gordon vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

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

Gordon State College is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (3,179 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

Gordon vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or Bluefield University? 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 Bluefield University ($7,807 vs. $22,216).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 9.2% lower than at Gordon State College ($9,480 vs. $10,444).
• Bluefield University is 637.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $23,142 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 144.5% higher at Bluefield University than at Gordon State College (about $15,822 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bluefield University than at Gordon State College (94% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bluefield University students is 214.8% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($20,341 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Gordon has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than Bluefield University (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 18.5% at Bluefield University.

Gordon vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and Bluefield University? 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 Bluefield University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $3,334 lower median loan debt than Bluefield University graduates ($17,500 vs. $20,834).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bluefield University graduates ($180 vs. $215).
• More Bluefield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.