Gordon College vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

Compare Gordon College in Wenham, MA with Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Wesleyan University is larger than Gordon College based on total student enrollment (1,853 students vs. 1,595 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon College is located in Wenham, MA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Gordon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon College 10:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Gordon College vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon College or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than Gordon College ($21,267 vs. $25,299).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 10.3% lower than at Gordon College ($11,930 vs. $13,300).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 22.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon College (about $6,800 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $30,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.1% higher at VWC than at Gordon College (about $6,800 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $30,700.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Gordon College as at Virginia Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 78.1% larger than aid received by Gordon College students ($29,923 vs. $16,802).

Gordon College vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 10 points higher than at Gordon College (1240).
• Incoming Gordon College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at VWC (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon College 1130/1355; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon College 25/31; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon College - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gordon College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gordon College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Gordon College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Gordon College vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Gordon College vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon College and VWC? 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).

• Gordon College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Gordon College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Wesleyan University and Gordon College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Virginia Wesleyan University and Gordon College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Gordon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 57%)

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.