Gordon vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Gordon State College in Barnesville, GA with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Gordon vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or WKU? 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 WKU ($7,807 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 17% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,444 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 221.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $8,024 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 146.6% higher at WKU than at Gordon State College (about $16,052 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Gordon State College (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 69% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($10,921 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gordon or WKU? 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 WKU and Gordon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gordon State College (1010) is 60 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming Gordon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Gordon (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Gordon vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and WKU? 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 Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($17,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($180 vs. $250).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.