Non-Profit Private
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Wenham, Massachusetts
58.8% Acceptance Rate
Gordon College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
58.8%Acceptance Rate
3.58Avg GPA
1268Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$41,160Annual Cost
$52,119Grad Salary
21%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
58.8%
Avg GPA
3.58
Avg SAT
1268
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1168–1370
ACT Middle 50%
26–32
Need-Based Aid
21% receive Pell
Gordon College is a private, Christian liberal arts institution in Massachusetts that emphasizes the integration of faith and learning. Known for its rigorous academic standards and commitment to intellectual inquiry, the college offers a wide range of undergraduate degree programs. Its supportive campus community, emphasis on global service, and focus on preparing students for leadership in a variety of fields make it a meaningful path for those seeking a values-centered, high-quality degree.
Gordon College Acceptance Rate
Gordon College takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 58.8% each year.
What Gordon College Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 58.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.58 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.38 – 3.57
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.13
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Gordon College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 15 for Gordon College (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 20.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 111 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: December 20
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 2026) 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.
Gordon College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Gordon College is 3.58. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.28 and 3.58? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.78–3.98.Gordon College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.58 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.38 – 3.57
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.18 – 3.37
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.17
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No application fee, essay, references, or interview required for first-year admission - just the application plus a transcript request
- Test-optional; the Classical Learning Test (CLT) is accepted alongside SAT/ACT, and students submitting no scores face no disadvantage in review
- Statement of Faith and Life & Conduct Statement are affirmed at enrollment, not evaluated as part of the admission application itself
- Music majors require a separate live audition through the Adams School of Music and the Arts, beyond the standard application
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Gordon College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Gordon 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
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Gordon College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Gordon College — 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 College Without SAT or ACT?
Gordon College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Gordon College Average SAT Score: 1268
Admitted students at Gordon College average a 1268 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1268 — Slightly Competitive
A 1268 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1370 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Gordon College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1168? A retake is worth it at Gordon College — 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 | 625 | 570 | 680 |
| SAT Reading | 644 | 598 | 690 |
| SAT Composite | 1268 | 1168 | 1370 |
A score under 1168 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1370+ 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 1250
Can I get into Gordon College with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in Gordon College'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 College ACT Requirements
Gordon College's admitted students average an ACT of 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
An average of 29 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 26 | 22 | 29 |
| ACT English | 30 | 24 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 26 | 32 |
Can I get into Gordon College with a 32 ACT?
At 32, you're in the top quarter of Gordon College'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, 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 College weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Gordon College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Gordon College is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Don't write a faith testimony essay - Gordon's application doesn't ask for one
Gordon's own admissions page explicitly notes that an application fee, references, interview, and test scores aren't part of the process - just the online application plus a transcript request. This is a real departure from peer Christian colleges like Covenant College, which require a mandatory 400-600 word written testimony as the admissions essay. If you're applying to both types of schools, don't default to writing the same spiritual autobiography for Gordon - it isn't requested at the application stage.
Know that the faith commitment comes after acceptance, not during review
Gordon's Statement of Faith and Life & Conduct Statement are documents you affirm and sign as part of enrolling - they are not competitive essay material assessed during the admissions decision itself. Save your reflection on how you'll live within that covenant for after you're admitted, rather than trying to preemptively demonstrate it in application materials that aren't evaluated on that basis.
Submit the CLT if that's what your school used - it's accepted equally with SAT/ACT
Gordon is test-optional and explicitly states that students unable to submit any scores are not disadvantaged in review. If you attended a classical curriculum or homeschool program that defaulted to the Classical Learning Test (CLT) rather than the SAT/ACT, submit it directly - Gordon treats it as an equal alternative, not a fallback.
Music majors need a separate audition - plan for it before you assume the standard application covers everything
If you're planning to major in music, a live audition through the Adams School of Music and the Arts is required in addition to the standard first-year application. This isn't mentioned prominently on the general admissions page, so reach out to that specific school directly rather than assuming your transcript and application alone will suffice.
Expert Insight:
Because Gordon markets itself heavily around its Christian identity and Life & Conduct Statement, applicants sometimes assume a written faith testimony or pastoral reference is required to apply, as it is at some peer institutions. Spending weeks drafting an unsolicited spiritual essay is wasted effort at the application stage - though genuinely understanding and being willing to live under the Life & Conduct Statement absolutely matters once you're enrolled.
Gordon College Profile
Full Name
Gordon College
City
Wenham
State
Massachusetts
ZIP Code
1984
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a Gordon College Degree Worth It?
Whether Gordon College is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $80,000, and graduates see a 2.81% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Gordon College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $41,160/year at Gordon College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Gordon College, 21% receive a Pell Grant and 56.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Gordon College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Gordon College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Gordon College graduates report a median income of $52,119, about 28% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Gordon College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Gordon College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Gordon College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at Gordon College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Gordon College Admissions
Gordon College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $52,119/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Gordon College is moderate, around $41,160/year; many students supplement with aid.
21.0% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Gordon College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Gordon College's acceptance rate is 58.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Gordon College students is 3.58, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.28 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Gordon College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.18 or below makes admission tougher at Gordon College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Gordon College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1268, and within the 1168–1370 range, keeps you competitive.
Gordon College's deadline is November 15 (Early Action), with decisions out by December 20.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 15, 2026 — that's Gordon 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.
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