Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Fort Valley State University at a Glance
Fort Valley State University is a public land-grant historically black university in Fort Valley, Georgia, United States. It is part of the University System of Georgia and a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
1939
87 years old
$13M
$12.7 million
2,182
1,365 acres
Identity
Is Fort Valley State University Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Fort Valley State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $36,666 — 32% below average — while paying $10,338/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 43% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $31,000 representing 85% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Fort Valley State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Fort Valley State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in GA
Ranked #44 of 98 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 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Northern Marianas College | 100 | $2,789 | $27,836 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #44 | Fort Valley State University | 38 | $10,338 | $36,666 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Fort Valley State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in GA.
Best Programs at Fort Valley State University
The highest-earning program at Fort Valley State University is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $27,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $19,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate from Fort Valley State University earns $27,500, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $19,200. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates carry $39,175 in median debt vs. $36,860 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,338/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $27,500 | $27,500 | $39,175 |
| Information Science/Studies | $26,800 | $26,800 | $47,025 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $25,900 | $25,900 | $41,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $22,300 | $22,300 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $19,800 | $19,800 | $38,000 |
| Journalism | $19,200 | $19,200 | $37,500 |
| Psychology, General | $19,200 | $19,200 | $36,860 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Fort Valley, GA
- Student Body
- 2,684 students
- Admission Rate
- 66%
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,338
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $36,666
- Median Student Debt
- $31,000