Gordon vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

Tennessee State University is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

Gordon vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or Tennessee State 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 Tennessee State University ($7,807 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 6.3% lower than at Tennessee State University ($10,444 vs. $11,150).
• Tennessee State University is 137.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $4,988 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.7% higher at Tennessee State University than at Gordon State College (about $11,468 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gordon State College than at Tennessee State University (89% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 49.5% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($9,661 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

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

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gordon State College (1010) is 40 points higher than at Tennessee State University (970).
• Incoming Gordon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at Tennessee State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; Tennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Tennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Gordon has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

Gordon vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and Tennessee State 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 Tennessee State University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($17,500 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($180 vs. $289).
• More Tennessee State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (29% 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.