Gordon vs. WKU

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

Gordon State College
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Gordon (85.9% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1010 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: Gordon. Average net price is $7,807 vs $12,548 at WKU.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Gordon $34,100 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Gordon State College Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
Gordon more selective
Gordon85.9%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Gordon higher
Gordon890-1130
WKU840-1050
Average net price
Gordon $4,741 less
Gordon$7,807
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
Gordon $8,024 less
Gordon$3,628
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
Gordon $16,052 less
Gordon$10,948
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +50 pts
Gordon-
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$3,000
Gordon$34,100
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Gordon and WKU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Gordon Check my chances at WKU
  • Applied
  • Gordon 1,958
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • Gordon 1,682
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Gordon 85.9%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Gordon 36.1%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Gordon 1010
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • Gordon 19
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • Gordon -
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Gordon -
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Gordon Very Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Gordon
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • Gordon 890-1130
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • Gordon 15-24
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Gordon Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Gordon
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Gordon $3,628
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Gordon $10,948
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • Gordon $10,444
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • Gordon $7,807
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • Gordon $6,462
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Gordon 89%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Gordon -
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Gordon $34,100
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Gordon 26%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Gordon $17,500
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Gordon $180
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Gordon 20:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Gordon
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (68%)
    • Health Professions (23%)
    • Education (10%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Gordon Barnesville, GA
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • Gordon Distant Town
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Gordon 3,179
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • Gordon Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Gordon
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Gordon State College in Barnesville, GA with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 3,179 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 17% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,444 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 146.6% higher at WKU than at Gordon State College (about $16,052 more per year; $27,000 vs. $10,948).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Gordon State College (99% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 69% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($10,921 vs. $6,462).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Gordon than at WKU (19 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Gordon and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($17,500 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($180 vs. $250).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 26%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Gordon State College
Western Kentucky University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges