Gordon vs. Life University

Comparable Facts

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

Gordon State College is larger than Life University based on total student enrollment (3,179 students vs. 2,714 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Gordon vs. Life University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or Life 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 Life University ($7,807 vs. $29,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 29.7% lower than at Life University ($10,444 vs. $14,850).
• Life University is 314.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $11,408 more per year; $15,036.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.3% higher at Life University than at Gordon State College (about $4,088 more per year; $15,036.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Gordon State College as at Life University (89% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life University students is 74.7% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($11,292 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. Life University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Life University (1030) is 20 points higher than at Gordon (1010).
• Incoming Gordon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at Life University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; Life University 920/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Life University 17/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; Life University - Test optional.
• Life University has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Gordon (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 42.1% at Life University.

Gordon vs. Life University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and Life 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 Life University earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Life University graduates have a $9,166 lower median loan debt than Gordon graduates ($8,334 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Life University graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gordon graduates ($86 vs. $180).
• More Life University 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.