Gordon vs. Paine College

Comparable Facts

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

Gordon State College is larger than Paine College based on total student enrollment (3,179 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Paine College is in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Paine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Paine College 11:1.

Gordon vs. Paine College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or Paine 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 Paine College ($7,807 vs. $15,935).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 28.1% lower than at Gordon State College ($7,512 vs. $10,444).
• Paine College is 302.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $10,968 more per year; $14,596.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.3% higher at Paine College than at Gordon State College (about $3,648 more per year; $14,596.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Paine College than at Gordon State College (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Paine College students is 87.9% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($12,145 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. Paine College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gordon State College (1010) is 130 points higher than at Paine College (880).
• Incoming Gordon students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at Paine College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; Paine College 776/976.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Paine College 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; Paine College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027.
• Paine College has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than Gordon (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 3.6% at Paine College.

Gordon vs. Paine College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and Paine 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 Gordon State College earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,100 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $18,250 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($17,500 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $189 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($180 vs. $369).
• More Gordon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (26% vs. 15%)

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.