Head-to-head · 2026
Gordon State College vs Valdosta State University
Compare average net price ($8,105 at Gordon State College; $10,945 at Valdosta State University), ROI score (11.68 vs 11.27), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($37,871 vs $49,361), and admissions selectivity (85.9% acceptance at Gordon State College; 72.3% at Valdosta State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Gordon State College | Valdosta State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.68 ✓ | 11.27 |
| Avg net price | $8,105 ✓ | $10,945 |
| 4-year avg net price | $32,420 ✓ | $43,780 |
| In-state tuition | $3,628 | $6,124 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,948 | $17,836 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $37,871 | $49,361 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 85.9% | 72.3% |
| Graduation rate | 20.4% | 42.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 51.2% | 71.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $17,500 ✓ | $24,779 |
| Enrollment | 2,544 | 6,622 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1023 | 1013 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Gordon State College | Valdosta State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,912 ✓ | $9,378 |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,817 ✓ | $9,541 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,435 ✓ | $11,877 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,326 ✓ | $14,906 |
| Family income $110k+ | $12,615 ✓ | $15,905 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Gordon State College | Valdosta State University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 20.2% | 9.6% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 16.4% | 4.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 8.9% | 11.8% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 16.4% | 3.9% |
| Psychology, General | 6.7% | 3.9% |
| Biology, General | 5.7% | 2.5% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3% | 3.4% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 1.6% | 3.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Gordon State College reports the lower average net price by $2,840 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $11,360 difference over four years ($32,420 vs $43,780).
Valdosta State University reports $11,490 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,361 vs $37,871). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 51.2% at Gordon State College and 71.9% at Valdosta State University. Median federal debt among completers is $17,500 vs $24,779, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Gordon State College vs Valdosta State University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Gordon State College is cheaper — average net price $8,105 per year vs $10,945 at Valdosta State University. The annual difference of $2,840 adds up to about $11,360 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Valdosta State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,361 vs $37,871 at Gordon State College. The gap in the federal data is $11,490. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Valdosta State University is more selective at 72.3% acceptance vs 85.9% at Gordon State College.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.