Gordon vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Gordon State College is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (3,179 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Gordon vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College ($7,807 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 10.1% lower than at Gordon State College ($9,390 vs. $10,444).
• Columbia College is 512.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $18,586 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.9% higher at Columbia College than at Gordon State College (about $11,266 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Gordon State College (97% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 154.6% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($16,451 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gordon State College (1010) is 10 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Gordon students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Gordon (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Gordon vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and Columbia College? 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 Columbia College earn a median of about $600 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $7,764 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($17,500 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($180 vs. $261).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.