Gordon vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare Gordon State College in Barnesville, GA with University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Upstate is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (4,916 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

Gordon vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate ($7,807 vs. $13,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 0.8% lower than at University of South Carolina Upstate ($10,444 vs. $10,533).
• University of South Carolina Upstate is 219.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $7,960 more per year; $11,588.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.9% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at Gordon State College (about $12,142 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at Gordon State College (97% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students is 65.9% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($10,719 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gordon or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate and Gordon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 80 points higher than at Gordon (1010).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Gordon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Gordon has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

Gordon vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($17,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($180 vs. $232).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.