Gordon vs. Lamar University

Comparable Facts

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

Lamar University is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (17,772 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Gordon vs. Lamar University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or Lamar 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 Lamar University ($7,807 vs. $9,814).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 0.2% lower than at Lamar University ($10,444 vs. $10,464).
• Lamar University is 145.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $5,277 more per year; $8,905.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.2% higher at Lamar University than at Gordon State College (about $7,797 more per year; $18,745.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lamar University than at Gordon State College (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lamar University students is 89.8% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($12,263 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. Lamar University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lamar University (1040) is 30 points higher than at Gordon (1010).
• Incoming Lamar University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Gordon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; Lamar University 930/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Lamar University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; Lamar University - Test optional.
• Lamar University has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Gordon (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 21.9% at Lamar University.

Gordon vs. Lamar University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and Lamar 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 Lamar University earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,500 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Lamar University graduates ($17,500 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lamar University graduates ($180 vs. $227).
• More Lamar University 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.