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Gordon State College (GSC) is a four-year, public higher learning institution founded in 1852; however, the college did not join the University System of Georgia until 1972. The college is located in the small community of Barnesville, which is in central Georgia not far from Macon. All of the roughly 3,500 students are studying at the undergraduate level.
Many students start with one of the 16 associate degrees and then work toward one of the 11 bachelor’s degrees. Some students will transfer after completion of an associate degree if the degree pathway they seek is outside of Gordon State College’s programs. The college also offers labs and advanced classrooms for optimal educational experiences at any of the three campuses, as well as online degree offerings.
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Overview of Gordon State College (GSC)
Campus life is also an important aspect of the Gordon State experience and includes more than 40 organizations and clubs and a vibrant activity and event scene on- and off-campus. Music and theater programs are also available and students can participate in intramurals, student government, and collegiate athletics such as men and women’s soccer. Health and wellness is another priority on campus that helps improve the quality of life for all students.
General Information
School Type | Primarily associate's, Public |
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Campus Setting | Town: Distant |
Campus Housing | Yes |
Student Faculty Ratio | 20:1 |
Graduation Rate | 11% |
Year Founded | 1852 |
Student Enrollment
Total Students3,663
3,663
NA
Undergraduate Student
Male 1,172
Female 2,491
Graduate Student
Male NA
Female NA
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GSC Acceptance Rate and Admissions
APPLICATIONS2,007
ACCEPTANCE1,686
Acceptance Rate84%
Enrollment 894
Admissions | |
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Application Fee | $30 |
High School GPA | Required |
High School Rank | NA |
High School Transcripts | Required |
College Prep Courses | Recommended |
Recommendations | NA |
SAT/ACT | Required |
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Required |
Application Deadline | December 1 |
Common Application Accepted | NA |
GSC Tuition Cost & Financial Aid
The cost of an undergraduate degree at Gordon State College is $4,084 per year for in-state students and $11,946 for out-of-state students. These costs do not include other expenses such as books, room and board, supplies, and more. Another $13,000 or so will be necessary for those basic living costs. Individuals who plan to pay for streaming services, online shopping, day trips, and more will require even more funds to cover those extra expenses.
With the help of financial aid, the average net price is $9,186 each year. In fact, 94% of students at Gordon State receive some type of assistance such as scholarships, grants, and student loans. The school offers a number of scholarships and as many grants as possible so that students do not have to pay these funds back. As a result, the average net price reduces to $9,186. Students can also help lower the need for student loans by working on or off-campus, as well as by participate in paid internships and work-study programs.
Average net price | 2017-2018 |
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Net Price | $10,101 |
Average Total Aid | $4,912 |
Students Receiving Financial Aid | 94% |
Room & Board | $8,666 |
Sticker Price
- Tuition In-State - $4,084
- Tuition Out-of-State - $11,946
- Books and Supplies - $1,340
- Room & Board - $8,666
- Other - $3,026
Academics
Gordon State College is composed of the main campus at Barnesville, the McDonough and UGA campus, and it offers courses at Fort Valley State University. Throughout these campuses, students can select from 27 associate and bachelor’s degrees. Three schools host all majors and degrees. The School of Business, Liberal Arts, and Social Sciences offer many popular degrees; the other two schools are the School of Education, Mathematics, and Applied Sciences and the School of Nursing, Health, and Natural Sciences. Students often start with an associate degree and continue to a bachelor’s degree.
Many students will qualify for study abroad programs in other countries as a way to gain both academic and cultural experiences that employers greatly desire. Advanced placement and honors programs are available for students who excel in their studies. High school students can participate in dual enrollment programs to take college-level courses while still in high school. The student body is made up of all student types including adult learners, veterans, transfer students, and working professionals.
Programs are all offered in-person, in a hybrid format, and online. Online courses are available to part-time and full-time students alike. Research and experiential learning opportunities are also wide open to all students in specific programs and a variety of academic assistance programs are free to all students. All of these offerings, along with a reasonable student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1, help attribute to a retention rate of 51%. The graduation rate, however, is quite low at 17%. This is likely due to the fact so many students are part-time or that they tend to transfer out to complete their degrees elsewhere.
Retention
Rate
4 year
Graduation
Rate
6 year
Graduation
Rate
Student Population Total
Student Population 3,663
3,663
NA
Most Popular Programs & Majors
(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)
Health Professions and Related Programs | 51 Total Graduates / 23% |
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Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 34 Graduates |
Health Information/Medical Records Administration/Administrator | 17 Graduates |
Public Administration and Social Service Professions | 48 Total Graduates / 22% |
Human Services, General | 48 Graduates |
All Business Majors | 40 Total Graduates / 18% |
Business Administration and Management, General | 40 Graduates |
All Biological & Biomedical Majors | 33 Total Graduates / 15% |
Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 33 Graduates |
All Education Majors | 29 Total Graduates / 13% |
Elementary Education and Teaching | 27 Graduates |
Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching | 2 Graduates |
All Other Diplomas | 9% |
Outcome & Salary
Both students and alumni benefit from the career services made available by Gordon State College. Students can use the Career Services Center to explore careers, make career decisions, learn critical skills, train in communication, complete career assessments, and participate in experiential learning. As part of the work preparedness and experience opportunities, students can select from any number of internships. It’s also important to take advantage of community service options.
The over 13,000 alumni can also access the benefits of these services. Alumni can use the career services to match employees with open opportunities. They can also become ambassadors and advocates for undergraduates throughout their college experience and alumni can continue their education and professional development at any point in time.
Graduates Salary | |
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College Grads Early Career Salary | $42,800 |
College Grads Average Salary | $52,000 |
College Grads Mid Career Salary | $64,100 |
Return on Investment (ROI) | |
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10 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $520,000 |
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $1,161,000 |
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year | $40,404 |
10 Year Projected ROI | $479,596 |
20 Year Projected ROI | $1,120,596 |
No College Education Salary Comparison | |
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National Average Salary | $38,792 |
10 Year Projected Income | $387,920 |
20 Year Projected Income | $775,840 |
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