Gordon vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

Gordon vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or NKU? 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 NKU ($7,807 vs. $9,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 17.8% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($10,444 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 205.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $7,460 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.1% higher at NKU than at Gordon State College (about $10,964 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Gordon State College (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 59.9% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($10,332 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. NKU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Gordon (1010).
• Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Gordon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Gordon has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 36.8% at NKU.

Gordon vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and NKU? 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 Northern Kentucky University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $7,450 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($17,500 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($180 vs. $257).
• More NKU 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.