Gordon vs. JCSU

Comparable Facts

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

Gordon State College is larger than JCSU based on total student enrollment (3,179 students vs. 1,302 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Johnson C Smith University is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Johnson C Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Johnson C Smith University 12:1.

Gordon vs. JCSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or JCSU? 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 JCSU ($7,807 vs. $19,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 17.7% lower than at Gordon State College ($8,600 vs. $10,444).
• Johnson C Smith University is 487.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $17,672 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.6% higher at JCSU than at Gordon State College (about $10,352 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnson C Smith University than at Gordon State College (93% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson C Smith University students is 135.8% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($15,238 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. JCSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gordon State College (1010) is 120 points higher than at JCSU (890).
• Incoming Gordon students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 15 at JCSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; Johnson C Smith University 800/980.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Johnson C Smith University 13/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; JCSU - Test-free.
• Gordon has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than JCSU (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 12.8% at JCSU.

Gordon vs. JCSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and JCSU? 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 Gordon State College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than JCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,100 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $14,550 lower median loan debt than JCSU graduates ($17,500 vs. $32,050).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $151 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCSU graduates ($180 vs. $331).
• More Gordon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCSU students, three years after graduation. (26% 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.