Gordon vs. Thomas University

Comparable Facts

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

Gordon State College is larger than Thomas University based on total student enrollment (3,179 students vs. 1,471 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Thomas University is in Thomasville, GA (Distant Town setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Thomas University 12:1.

Gordon vs. Thomas University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or Thomas 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 Thomas University ($7,807 vs. $17,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas University are 22.1% lower than at Gordon State College ($8,140 vs. $10,444).
• Thomas University is 220.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $8,012 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Thomas University than at Gordon State College (about $692 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas University than at Gordon State College (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gordon State College students is 22.9% larger than aid received by Thomas University students ($6,462 vs. $5,256).

Gordon vs. Thomas University Admissions comparison

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

• Thomas University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas University (1110) is 100 points higher than at Gordon (1010).
• Incoming Thomas University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at Gordon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; Thomas University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Thomas University 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; Thomas University - Open admission.
• Gordon has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than Thomas University (38.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 70.7% at Thomas University.

Gordon vs. Thomas University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and Thomas 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 Thomas University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,000 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $3,120 lower median loan debt than Thomas University graduates ($17,500 vs. $20,620).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas University graduates ($180 vs. $213).
• More Thomas University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (36% 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.