A member of the University System of Georgia (USG), Gordon State's spring 2023 enrollment was 2,846 students.

Gordon State College was founded in 1852 as the Male and Female Seminary, a private school for higher education of boys and girls.

In 1916 the U.S. Department of War named Gordon College a junior military unit.

Gordon State College offers Bachelor of Arts, Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Associate of Science degrees as well as a Nexus degree in film production.

Gordon State College competes in Region XVII of the National Junior College Athletic Association at the NJCAA Division I level as a member of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA).

Men's sports include baseball, basketball, and club football while women's sports include soccer, softball, and volleyball; the college also fields a co-ed golf team.