Gordon vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

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

Shepherd University is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Gordon vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or Shepherd 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 Shepherd University ($7,807 vs. $11,744).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 19.1% lower than at Shepherd University ($10,444 vs. $12,916).
• Shepherd University is 149.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $5,428 more per year; $9,056.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.3% higher at Shepherd University than at Gordon State College (about $8,134 more per year; $19,082.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Gordon State College (96% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shepherd University students is 27.5% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($8,241 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gordon State College (1010) is the same as at Shepherd University (1010).
• Incoming Shepherd 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; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Shepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Gordon (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Gordon vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and Shepherd 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 Shepherd University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $4,723 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($17,500 vs. $22,223).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shepherd University graduates ($180 vs. $229).
• More Shepherd University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.