CAU vs. Gordon

Clark Atlanta University and Gordon State College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Clark Atlanta University
Gordon State College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CAU (64.2% admitted vs 85.9%). Typical SAT 1000 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: Gordon. Average net price is $7,807 vs $31,223 at CAU.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CAU $38,400 vs Gordon $34,100 (median).
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Key differences

Clark Atlanta University Gordon State College
Acceptance rate
CAU more selective
CAU64.2%
Gordon85.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Gordon higher
CAU880-1120
Gordon890-1130
Average net price
Gordon $23,416 less
CAU$31,223
Gordon$7,807
In-state tuition
Gordon $24,682 less
CAU$28,310
Gordon$3,628
Out-of-state tuition
Gordon $17,362 less
CAU$28,310
Gordon$10,948
Graduation rate
CAU +41 pts
CAU41%
Gordon-
Median earnings (10 years)
CAU +$4,300
CAU$38,400
Gordon$34,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CAU 27,245
  • Gordon 1,958
  • Admitted
  • CAU 17,497
  • Gordon 1,682
  • Acceptance rate
  • CAU 64.2%
  • Gordon 85.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CAU 5.7%
  • Gordon 36.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CAU 1000
  • Gordon 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • CAU 18
  • Gordon 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • CAU 3.28
  • Gordon -
  • Typical high school grades
  • CAU B+
  • Gordon -
  • Admissions standards
  • CAU Extremely Easy
  • Gordon Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CAU Low
  • Gordon
  • SAT range
  • CAU 880-1120
  • Gordon 890-1130
  • ACT range
  • CAU 16-20
  • Gordon 15-24
  • Submit test scores
  • CAU Test optional
  • Gordon Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • CAU Apr 1, 2027
  • Gordon
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CAU $28,310
  • Gordon $3,628
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CAU $28,310
  • Gordon $10,948
  • Room & board
  • CAU $12,748
  • Gordon $10,444
  • Average net price
  • CAU $31,223
  • Gordon $7,807
  • Average grant aid
  • CAU $12,453
  • Gordon $6,462
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CAU 89%
  • Gordon 89%
  • Graduation rate
  • CAU 41%
  • Gordon -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CAU $38,400
  • Gordon $34,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • CAU 30%
  • Gordon 26%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CAU $31,000
  • Gordon $17,500
  • Median loan payment
  • CAU $320
  • Gordon $180
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CAU 16:1
  • Gordon 20:1
  • Popular majors
  • CAU
    • Communication (26%)
    • Business (21%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
  • Gordon
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (68%)
    • Health Professions (23%)
    • Education (10%)
  • Location
  • CAU Atlanta, GA
  • Gordon Barnesville, GA
  • Setting
  • CAU Large City
  • Gordon Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • CAU 4,252
  • Gordon 3,179
  • Type
  • CAU Private 4 Year
  • Gordon Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CAU #975
  • Gordon

Comparable Facts

Compare Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA with Gordon State College in Barnesville, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Clark Atlanta University is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (4,252 students vs. 3,179 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Gordon State College is in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting).
  • Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark Atlanta University 16:1; Gordon State College 20:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 18.1% lower than at Clark Atlanta University ($10,444 vs. $12,748).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 158.6% higher at CAU than at Gordon State College (about $17,362 more per year; $28,310 vs. $10,948).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Clark Atlanta University as at Gordon State College (89% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clark Atlanta University students is 92.7% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($12,453 vs. $6,462).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Gordon than at CAU (19 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both CAU and Gordon.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.7% at CAU vs. 36.1% at Gordon.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $13,500 lower median loan debt than CAU graduates ($17,500 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CAU graduates ($180 vs. $320).
  • More CAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation (30% vs. 26%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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