Gordon State College
Gordon State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Gordon State College Worth It?
At a value score of 22/100, Gordon State College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $37,871 — 30% below average — while paying $8,105/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 19% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 2 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Gordon State College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Gordon State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in GA
Ranked #86 of 105 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 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #86 | Gordon State College | 22 | $8,105 | $37,871 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Gordon State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in GA.
Best Programs at Gordon State College
The highest-earning program at Gordon State College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $58,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Human Services, General at $25,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Gordon State College earns $58,200, while a Human Services, General graduate earns $25,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $24,543 in median debt vs. $23,143 for Human Services, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $8,105/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,200 | $58,200 | $24,543 |
| Biology, General | $34,700 | $34,700 | $20,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,600 | $32,600 | $15,625 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $26,900 | $26,900 | $30,199 |
| Human Services, General | $25,300 | $25,300 | $23,143 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Barnesville, GA
- Student Body
- 2,544 students
- Admission Rate
- 86%
- Graduation Rate
- 19%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $8,105
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $37,871
- Median Student Debt
- $17,500