Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 19.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 17.3%
- Retention Rate
- 48.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $37,871
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $17,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 30.1%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $186/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $58,763 | $17,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $56,776 | $12,750 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $36,992 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $34,111 | $20,898 |
| History. | Bachelor | $32,569 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $31,000 |
| Human Services, General. | Bachelor | $25,967 | $27,268 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,964 | $15,740 |
Outcomes Overview
Gordon State graduates face significant financial challenges despite finding work. The employment rate reaches 95.4%, but median earnings of $37,871 create a debt-to-earnings ratio of 46% when paired with typical debt loads of $17,500. Monthly loan payments of $186 consume nearly 6% of gross income, well above the recommended 3-4%. Only 30% of borrowers successfully repay their loans on schedule. Many graduates enter healthcare and education fields, which offer job security but modest starting salaries in rural Georgia. The college's nursing and education programs provide stable career paths, but the combination of low earnings and challenging loan repayment rates suggests a weak return on investment for most students.