Gordon vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Gordon State College in Barnesville, GA with California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University San Marcos is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Gordon vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University-San Marcos ($7,807 vs. $10,241).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 26.2% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($10,444 vs. $14,152).
• California State University San Marcos is 122.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $4,454 more per year; $8,082.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.9% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at Gordon State College (about $9,734 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gordon State College than at California State University San Marcos (89% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 72.1% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($11,123 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gordon or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University-San Marcos and Gordon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 30 points higher than at Gordon (1010).
• Incoming Gordon students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 19) as students at California State University-San Marcos (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Gordon (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Gordon vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $495 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($17,500 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($180 vs. $186).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.