East Georgia State vs Gordon State: Softball Program Comparison
Two JUCO programs in the GCAA. East Georgia State lists $1,293 less in out-of-state tuition; Gordon State graduates 3 points more of its students.
Which one is right for you?
Neither school is better in the abstract — they are better for different athletes. These are the differences big enough to actually decide on.
Lean East Georgia State if…
- You would be in-state: East Georgia State is $739 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Gordon State.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at East Georgia State is $5,750 lower than at Gordon State.
Lean Gordon State if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Gordon State graduates 3 percentage points more of its students than East Georgia State.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price from IPEDS. Almost nobody pays it — athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off the top — but the gap between two schools is a fair read on the gap between two offers.
| Measure | East Georgia State | Gordon State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $2,736 — East Georgia State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $3,475 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $9,088 — East Georgia State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $10,381 |
| Room & board | $9,858 | $9,142 — Gordon State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $12,594 | $12,617 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $18,946 | $19,523 |
What you leave with
Federal College Scorecard figures for all students at the institution, not softball players specifically. Read them as a signal about the degree, not about the program.
| Measure | East Georgia State | Gordon State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 14% | 17% — Gordon State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $37,174/yr | $37,871/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $11,750 — East Georgia State leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $17,500 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 32% — East Georgia State leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 46% |
Getting in, and what you'd walk into
Admissions and size. A coach can support your file, but at most schools they cannot admit you — the academic profile below is the bar you still have to clear.
| Measure | East Georgia State | Gordon State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | — | 86% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,756 | 3,129 |
| Where it is | Swainsboro, GA | Barnesville, GA |
The softball program itself
Division and conference set the ceiling; the postseason record and staff tell you what the program has actually done with it.
| Measure | East Georgia State | Gordon State |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Matt Gillespie | Ally Hattermann |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at JUCO (NJCAA & community colleges), so the scholarship rules are identical: varies by njcaa division. Scholarship availability at junior colleges varies by NJCAA division — some can offer full athletic scholarships, some offer tuition-level aid, and NJCAA Division III offers no athletic aid.
What to do about it this week
Questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit one at any age. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
East Georgia State
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Gordon State
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
East Georgia State vs Gordon State: common questions
- Is East Georgia State or Gordon State cheaper?
- Published cost is effectively the same — about $18,946 a year out of state in tuition and housing at both, before any aid. Cost is unlikely to be what decides this one.
- Which school graduates more of its students, East Georgia State or Gordon State?
- Gordon State, at 17% against 14% at East Georgia State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do East Georgia State and Gordon State offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at JUCO (NJCAA & community colleges): varies by njcaa division. Scholarship availability at junior colleges varies by NJCAA division — some can offer full athletic scholarships, some offer tuition-level aid, and NJCAA Division III offers no athletic aid.
Cost, graduation and enrollment figures from IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2023-24). Earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard. Postseason results from the NCAA Division I softball tournament records, 2021-2026. Rankings from NCAA.com and U.S. News & World Report. Figures describe the institution, not the softball roster.
We work hard to keep all data for East Georgia State and Gordon State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
Track both programs, log every coach you contact, and see where you actually stand against each one's recruiting profile.
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