Gordon vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Merced is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Gordon vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon or UC Merced? 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 UC Merced ($7,807 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 51.3% lower than at University of California Merced ($10,444 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 330.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $11,995 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 355.1% higher at UC Merced than at Gordon State College (about $38,875 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Gordon State College as at University of California Merced (89% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 322.3% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($27,292 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Merced (1050) is 40 points higher than at Gordon (1010).
• Incoming UC Merced 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; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Gordon (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Gordon vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon and UC Merced? 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 $2,399 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($17,500 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($180 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.