At $24,817/yr net price, Gordon College graduates earn $52,119/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,119/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,817 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $99,268 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,119/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,119/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 67.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,678/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,394/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,051/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,738/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,522/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $48,745 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,556 | $23,489 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $45,918 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $38,289 | |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $35,954 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $33,459 | $26,681 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. | Bachelor | $32,391 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $31,038 | $27,000 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $30,988 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $30,228 | $26,500 |
The Risk Factor
67.6% of students at Gordon College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Gordon College gives you a mixed financial return. You pay close to $25,000 a year net and leave with median earnings just over $52,000 a decade out, against about $26,000 in debt. That debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, but the earnings ceiling here is low for a private college, and the gap between your best and worst majors is wide.
Finance and business administration are the programs that actually pay at Gordon, both landing in the high $40,000s. Economics sits close behind. Those three give you the clearest path to covering your costs. English and teacher education are a different story: graduates earn in the mid-$30,000s while carrying $27,000 and $26,700 in debt respectively. If you take on that much debt for teaching or English at Gordon, you are borrowing nearly as much as the finance majors while earning $13,000 to $15,000 less every year. That math does not work in your favor.
The specific risk here is graduation. Nearly a third of students don't finish, and if you leave with debt and no degree, the earnings numbers above won't apply to you. Retention past year one is solid at 83%, so the drop-off happens later.
The net price tiers barely bend for lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay over $18,000 a year, and the discount shrinks fast as income rises. Gordon is not a school that becomes cheap if you have less money.
Gordon is a reasonable financial fit if you plan to major in finance, business, or economics and you finish in four years. If you're coming here to teach or study English and need to borrow the full amount, look hard at cheaper options before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gordon College worth the cost for the education you get?
Gordon College's $24,817 annual net price leads to median earnings of $52,119 after 10 years, which is below average for private colleges. With a 67% graduation rate and $26,250 in median debt, the return on investment is modest compared to similar schools.
What are the best paying majors at Gordon College?
Finance graduates from Gordon College earn around $48,745 annually, making it the highest-paying program. Business administration and economics also perform well at $46,556 and $45,918 respectively, while education and English majors earn significantly less.
How much debt do Gordon College graduates typically have?
Gordon College graduates leave with a median debt of $26,250, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, graduates earning $35,000-$38,000 in education or English may struggle with loan payments relative to their income.
Does Gordon College provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
Gordon College's net price of $24,817 suggests decent financial aid since the sticker price is higher. The 91% acceptance rate means most students can get in, but the financial aid may not be enough to justify the cost for lower-earning majors.