Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Barnesville, Georgia
86.8% Acceptance Rate
Gordon State College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
86.8%Acceptance Rate
950Avg SAT
18Avg ACT
$14,944Annual Cost
$37,871Grad Salary
47.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
86.8%
Avg SAT
950
Avg ACT
18
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
910–980
ACT Middle 50%
15–21
Avg Net Price
$8,918
Need-Based Aid
47.2% receive Pell
Gordon State College is a public institution in Georgia that emphasizes accessible, high-value education. Admissions are focused on clear academic potential as demonstrated by GPA and standardized test scores. The college looks for students who are motivated to succeed and who will take full advantage of the close-knit, supportive environment and the diverse range of associate and bachelor's degree programs offered to the regional community.
Gordon State College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Gordon State College is inclusive by design. 86.8% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 86.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Gordon State College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Gordon State College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Gordon reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority scholarship deadline: 2026/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Gordon
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Gordon State College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Gordon State College (Gordon) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Gordon. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Gordon Without SAT or ACT?
Gordon considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Gordon State College Average SAT Score: 950
Admitted students at Gordon State College average a 950 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 950 — Accessible
A 950 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (980 SAT or 21 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Gordon State College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 910? A retake is worth it at Gordon. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 950 | 910 | 980 |
A score under 910 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 980+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 950
Can I get into Gordon State College (Gordon) with a 1000 SAT?
At 1000, your SAT is squarely in Gordon's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Gordon State College (Gordon) ACT Requirements
Gordon's admitted students average an ACT of 18.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 18 — Accessible
An average of 18 means even a modest ACT score can strengthen your application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 19 | 15 | 22 |
| ACT English | 17 | 12 | 21 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 15 | 21 |
Can I get into Gordon State College with a 21 ACT?
At 21, you're in the top quarter of Gordon's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Gordon weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Gordon
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Gordon is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Choose between the ASN and BSN nursing tracks deliberately - they run on entirely different application calendars and GPA thresholds
Gordon State's ASN program requires a 2.5 overall GPA (2.75 in sciences/math) with applications open July 1-31 for a Spring cohort, while the BSN Pre-licensure program requires a higher 2.75 overall GPA (3.0 in sciences/math) with applications open December 1-January 15 for a Fall cohort. Decide which track fits your timeline and GPA profile early, since applying to the wrong track's window (or assuming they share a single deadline) could mean missing your intended cohort entirely.
Track your Area F Science courses against a hard 5-year recency wall tied to the specific cohort you're targeting, not a general "5 years from now" estimate
Gordon State states "NO EXCEPTIONS" on its Area F Sciences (A&P I, A&P II, Microbiology) recency rule, specifying the exact valid window per cohort (e.g., Fall 2027 cohort sciences must be from Fall 2022 or later; Spring 2027 cohort sciences must be from Spring 2022 or later). Calculate your specific cohort's exact cutoff date rather than assuming a rough "5 years back" estimate, since Gordon State ties the window to the specific admission cycle, not simply to your application submission date.
If you previously failed a nursing course, know exactly where Gordon State's line is - one "D" is survivable, a second "D" or any single "F" is not
Gordon State explicitly allows applicants with one prior nursing course grade of "D" (including from an LPN program) to still apply, with that D factored into the overall GPA calculation - but two or more D's, or even a single F, in any nursing course anywhere disqualifies the application entirely. If your nursing academic history includes exactly one D, apply with confidence knowing Gordon State has a stated tolerance for this specific scenario; if it includes an F or a second D, address this directly with an advisor about alternative pathways before applying.
Use Gordon State's conditional acceptance option if your core courses aren't finished - but maintain both GPA thresholds simultaneously to keep it valid
Gordon State allows conditional acceptance for applicants who haven't completed all core courses at application time, provided they complete everything before starting nursing coursework while maintaining both the overall 2.75 (or 2.5 for ASN) GPA AND the separate science/math GPA threshold throughout that conditional period. If you're accepted conditionally, treat both GPA numbers as simultaneous, non-negotiable floors during your remaining core coursework - dropping below either one, not just your overall GPA, can jeopardize your conditional acceptance.
Expert Insight:
Because Gordon State's overall acceptance rate sits around 87% and is broadly described as "somewhat selective" for general admission, applicants sometimes underestimate how document-heavy and unforgiving the nursing application process is - Gordon State states plainly that applications "will not be considered" if the applicant hasn't submitted ALL transcripts from every institution attended AND gained general admission to the college by the deadline, treating these as simultaneous, non-waivable prerequisites rather than items that can be completed shortly after applying.
Gordon Profile
Full Name
Gordon State College (Gordon)
City
Barnesville
State
Georgia
ZIP Code
30204
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Gordon Degree Worth It?
At $14,944/year against a $37,871 median graduate salary, Gordon is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $63,700, and graduates see a 3.24% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Gordon Cost?
Listed tuition runs $14,944/year at Gordon. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $8,918.
At Gordon, 47.2% receive a Pell Grant and 35.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Gordon on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Gordon Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Gordon graduates report a median income of $37,871, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Gordon State College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 913 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Trinity College of Florida | Trinity, FL | 905 | 19 |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Wesleyan College | Macon, GA | 905 | NA |
| Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | 910 | 17 |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 929 | 18 |
| Kentucky State University | Frankfort, KY | 910 | 17 |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | 938 | 17 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Gordon State College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
| Avila University | Kansas City, MO | 942 | 18 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Gordon State College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
Degree Programs at Gordon
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Gordon Admissions
Gordon State College graduates earn a lower median salary of $37,871/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Gordon State College is relatively affordable, around $14,944/year.
47.2% of Gordon State College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Gordon State College's acceptance rate is 86.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
Gordon State College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 950, and within the 910–980 range, keeps you competitive.
Gordon State College follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Priority scholarship deadline: 2026/02/01. That's Gordon State College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.