Paine College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College

Comparable Facts

Compare Paine College in Augusta, GA with Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than Paine College based on total student enrollment (1,906 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paine College is located in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting); Gustavus Adolphus College is in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Paine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paine College 11:1; Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1.

Paine College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paine College or Gustavus Adolphus College? 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 Paine College than Gustavus Adolphus College ($15,935 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 36.4% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($7,512 vs. $11,804).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 284.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Paine College (about $41,480 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 284.2% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Paine College (about $41,480 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Paine College as at Gustavus Adolphus College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 241.3% larger than aid received by Paine College students ($41,450 vs. $12,145).

Paine College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Paine College or Gustavus Adolphus College? 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 Gustavus Adolphus College and Paine College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 776/976.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paine College - Test-free; Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027; Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.88 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Paine College (2.81).
• Paine College has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than Gustavus Adolphus College (61%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College.

Paine College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paine College and Gustavus Adolphus College? 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Paine College's (27%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $27,900 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gustavus Adolphus College graduates have a $8,750 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($27,000 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, Gustavus Adolphus College graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($279 vs. $369).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 15%)

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.