Dalton State College
Dalton State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Dalton State College at a Glance
Dalton State College is a public college in Dalton, Georgia, United States. It is part of the University System of Georgia. Founded in 1963 as a junior college, the college became a four-year institution in 1998. Dalton State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
1963
63 years old
$25M
$25.3 million
5,047
5,987 undergrad
160
146 acres
Identity
Is Dalton State College Worth It?
Dalton State College offers moderate value at $5,012/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $40,251, which is 25% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 28% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Dalton State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in GA
Ranked #31 of 200 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #31 | Dalton State College | 55 | $5,012 | $40,251 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Dalton State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 14 in GA.
Best Programs at Dalton State College
The highest-earning program at Dalton State College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $58,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $22,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Dalton State College earns $58,700, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $22,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $5,012/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,700 | $58,700 | $17,226 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $36,100 | $36,100 | $18,414 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $34,000 | $34,000 | $21,605 |
| Marketing | $33,000 | $33,000 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $32,700 | $32,700 | $20,273 |
| Social Work | $31,800 | $31,800 | $23,156 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,100 | $31,100 | $20,700 |
| Biology, General | $28,100 | $28,100 | $15,000 |
| History | $26,300 | $26,300 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature, General | $22,200 | $22,200 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Dalton, GA
- Student Body
- 4,553 students
- Graduation Rate
- 28%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $5,012
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,251
- Median Student Debt
- $12,937