Gordon College
- Graduation Rate
- 68% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $52,119 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $24,883 D
- 45% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 69% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $12.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,111,566.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 28% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Gordon College Matters
Gordon College is a private liberal arts college in Wenham, MA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,278
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- 42
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Communications
Why students choose Gordon College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 69% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1130–1355. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $24,883 a year after grants and scholarships — 45% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $52,119 ten years after enrolling — 28% above the typical college, against $26,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 94% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.84 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 1,278 students and an acceptance rate of 69%, Gordon College invites individuals seeking a close-knit community and a personalized educational experience. This school stands out for its strong programs in Biology and Biomedical fields, Business and Marketing, Psychology, Education, and Communications. If you’re passionate about any of these areas, you’ll find a supportive environment that encourages hands-on learning and collaboration.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $52,119 within ten years. This figure provides a decent starting point for many new graduates, reflecting solid preparation for the job market. Affordability is also a consideration; with a net price of $24,883 after financial aid, it’s important to think about how this investment plays out in terms of future earnings.
On the practical side, the median debt for graduates is $26,250, which is manageable compared to potential earnings. Students who thrive here often value the strong community feel and are likely to be engaged in their studies. The 21% Pell Grant rate indicates that there is some support for students from low-income backgrounds, which can help ease the financial burden.
Rankings
- #12 Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts
- #15 Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts
- #18 Best Biology Colleges in Massachusetts
- #23 Best Business Colleges in Massachusetts
- #28 Best Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts
- #30 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
- #33 Best Bachelor's Programs in Massachusetts
- #34 Best Master's Programs in Massachusetts
Can I Get In?
How selective Gordon College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Gordon College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Gordon College, located in Wenham, Massachusetts, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 69% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,265. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 69%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- SAT Average
- 1265
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1130–1355
- ACT Range
- 25–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 52%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,927
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 17%
- Applicants
- 1,395
- Admitted
- 1,280
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Gordon College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Gordon College is $30,700, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $24,883. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,829 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $30,700
- Out-of-State
- $30,700
- Avg Net Price
- $24,883
- Median Debt
- $26,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 53%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $21,829
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,900
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,004
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,138
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Gordon College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Gordon College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Gordon College earn a median of $52,119, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,839
- 8 Years
- $47,385
- 10 Years
- $52,119
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.5x
- Earning > $25K
- 66%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (258)
- 65%
- 100% (258)
- 65%
- 100% (258)
- 65%
- 100% (258)
- 65%
How Gordon Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Gordon College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Gordon College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $24,883/year ($99,532 total). Graduates earn $52,119 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,211,098 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,111,566 (12.2× your investment). The median debt is $26,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 68% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $99,532
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,211,098
- Net Return
- $1,111,566
- ROI Multiple
- 12.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $24,883
- Median Debt
- $26,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Gordon College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Gordon College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.60%, a more modest figure. About 4.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $95,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.60%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 13.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $130,295
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $113,319
- Investment Income
- $-13,006,242
Top Programs
The fields Gordon College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 20% $57,918 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 15% $38,487 early-career
- Psychology 11% $36,879 early-career
- Communications 6% $35,917 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $26,097 early-career
- Education 5% $39,756 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $54,559 early-career
- English & Literature 5% $42,720 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Gordon College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Gordon College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Gordon College, located in Wenham, Massachusetts, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 69% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,265. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Gordon College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Gordon College is $30,700, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $24,883. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,829 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,250 in federal student loans.
Is Gordon College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Gordon College earn a median of $52,119, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Gordon College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Gordon College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.60%, a more modest figure. About 4.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $95,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Gordon College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Gordon College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.84, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Gordon College.
- Dordt UniversitySioux Center, IA · Close peer68% grad $52,559 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia University-NebraskaSeward, NE · Close peer64% grad $52,415 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA · Close peer65% grad $49,802 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Knox CollegeGalesburg, IL · Close peer68% grad $54,820 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rivier UniversityNashua, NH · Close peer55% grad $52,248 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Roberts Wesleyan UniversityRochester, NY · Close peer65% grad $55,031 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Gordon College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Gordon College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.84, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note