Gordon vs. KSU

Deciding between Gordon State College and Kennesaw State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Gordon Barnesville, GA
  • KSU Kennesaw, GA
  • Setting
  • Gordon Distant Town
  • KSU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Gordon 3,179
  • KSU 47,764
  • Type
  • Gordon Public 4 Year
  • KSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Gordon
  • KSU
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Gordon -
  • KSU -
  • Status
  • Gordon Non-profit
  • KSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Gordon
  • KSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Gordon $3,628
  • KSU $5,808
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Gordon $10,948
  • KSU $17,736
  • Room & Board
  • Gordon $10,444
  • KSU $13,287
  • Average Net Price
  • Gordon $7,807
  • KSU $15,636
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Gordon $6,462
  • KSU $8,223
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Gordon 89%
  • KSU 92%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Gordon 1,958
  • KSU 34,680
  • Admitted
  • Gordon 1,682
  • KSU 23,995
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Gordon 85.9%
  • KSU 69.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Gordon 36.1%
  • KSU 38%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Gordon 1010
  • KSU 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • Gordon 19
  • KSU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Gordon -
  • KSU 3.33
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Gordon -
  • KSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Gordon Very Easy
  • KSU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Gordon
  • KSU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Gordon 15/24
  • KSU 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Gordon 890/1130
  • KSU 1000/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Gordon Test optional
  • KSU Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Gordon
  • KSU Jun 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Gordon 20:1
  • KSU 23:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Gordon
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (68%)
    • Health Professions (23%)
    • Education (10%)
  • KSU
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Gordon -
  • KSU -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Gordon $34,100
  • KSU N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Gordon 26%
  • KSU 53%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Gordon $17,500
  • KSU $21,200
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Gordon $180
  • KSU $219
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Gordon 32%
  • KSU 49%
  • % Women
  • Gordon 68%
  • KSU 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Gordon High
  • KSU High
  • HBCU
  • Gordon No
  • KSU No
  • % White
  • Gordon 50%
  • KSU 58%
  • % Asian
  • Gordon 1%
  • KSU 4%
  • % Black
  • Gordon 42%
  • KSU 20%
  • % Hispanic
  • Gordon 3%
  • KSU 9%
  • % Native American
  • Gordon 0%
  • KSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Gordon 0%
  • KSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Gordon 3%
  • KSU 4%
  • % International
  • Gordon 0%
  • KSU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Gordon 0%
  • KSU 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Gordon 99%
  • KSU 96%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Gordon 1%
  • KSU 1%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Gordon Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Gordon No
  • KSU
  • Meal Plan
  • Gordon Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Gordon Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Gordon No
  • KSU

Comparable Facts

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

Kennesaw State University is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (47,764 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Kennesaw State University is in Kennesaw, GA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kennesaw State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Kennesaw State University 23:1.

Gordon vs. KSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or KSU? 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 KSU ($7,807 vs. $15,636).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 21.4% lower than at Kennesaw State University ($10,444 vs. $13,287).
  • Kennesaw State University is 60.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $2,180 more per year; $5,808.00 vs. $3,628.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 62% higher at KSU than at Gordon State College (about $6,788 more per year; $17,736.00 vs. $10,948.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kennesaw State University than at Gordon State College (92% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kennesaw State University students is 27.3% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($8,223 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. KSU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kennesaw State University (1110) is 100 points higher than at Gordon (1010).
  • Incoming KSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at Gordon).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; Kennesaw State University 1000/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Kennesaw State University 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; KSU - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: KSU Jun 1, 2027.
  • Gordon has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than KSU (69.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 38% at KSU.

Gordon vs. KSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and KSU? 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).

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $3,700 lower median loan debt than KSU graduates ($17,500 vs. $21,200).
  • Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KSU graduates ($180 vs. $219).
  • More KSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.