Gordon College
Gordon College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Gordon College at a Glance
Gordon College is a private Christian college in Wenham, Massachusetts, United States. The college offers 44 majors, 55 concentrations, and 30 interdisciplinary and pre-professional minors as well as graduate programs in education, music education, public health and leadership. Gordon has an undergraduate enrollment of 1,610 (2024) students representing more than 50 Christian denominations.
1889
137 years old
$106M
$105.6 million (2020)
1,595
1,314 undergrad · 281 grad
485 acres
Identity
Is Gordon College Worth It?
At a value score of 36/100, Gordon College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $52,119 — 3% below average — while paying $24,883/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $26,250 representing 50% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Gordon College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Gordon College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MA
Ranked #46 of 134 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #2 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #3 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #4 | North Park University | 50 | $16,948 | $59,572 |
| #5 | University of Evansville | 49 | $18,499 | $53,770 |
| #6 | Coe College | 48 | $18,745 | $57,125 |
| #46 | Gordon College | 36 | $24,883 | $52,119 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Gordon College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in MA.
Best Programs at Gordon College
The highest-earning program at Gordon College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $42,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $27,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Gordon College earns $42,200, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $27,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $23,099 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,883/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,200 | $42,200 | $23,099 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $33,500 | $33,500 | $25,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,100 | $33,100 | $26,980 |
| Biology, General | $31,300 | $31,300 | $26,466 |
| Psychology, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $27,000 |
| Social Work | $28,700 | $28,700 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $27,000 | $27,000 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Wenham, MA
- Student Body
- 1,278 students
- Admission Rate
- 69%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,883
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,119
- Median Student Debt
- $26,250