Georgia College & State University
Georgia College & State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Georgia College & State University at a Glance
Georgia College and State University is a public liberal arts university in Milledgeville, Georgia, United States. The university enrolls approximately 7,000 students and is a member of the University System of Georgia and the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Georgia College was designated Georgia's "Public Liberal Arts University" in 1996 by the Georgia Board of Regents.
1889
137 years old
$46M
$45.5 million (end of FY 2019)
6,873
5,605 undergrad · 1,268 grad
Identity
Is Georgia College & State University Worth It?
Georgia College & State University offers moderate value at $20,686/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $58,140, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 63% graduation rate means roughly 37% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Georgia College & State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #46 of 97 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #4 | University of Michigan-Flint | 81 | $7,007 | $53,230 |
| #5 | Murray State University | 74 | $9,096 | $44,737 |
| #6 | Southern Utah University | 72 | $10,462 | $50,296 |
| #46 | Georgia College & State University | 44 | $20,686 | $58,140 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Georgia College & State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Georgia College & State University
The highest-earning program at Georgia College & State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $59,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $18,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Georgia College & State University earns $59,000, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $18,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $21,569 in median debt vs. $23,991 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,686/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 | $59,000 | $59,000 | $21,569 |
| Computer Science | $53,200 | $53,200 | $22,596 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,500 | $44,500 | $22,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,700 | $41,700 | $21,250 |
| Marketing | $39,200 | $39,200 | $21,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $38,500 | $38,500 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,200 | $38,200 | $22,375 |
| Journalism | $37,400 | $37,400 | $24,625 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,400 | $33,400 | $26,707 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,900 | $31,900 | $23,375 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $28,900 | $28,900 | $24,625 |
| Public Health | $28,300 | $28,300 | $21,500 |
| Biology, General | $27,200 | $27,200 | $24,998 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $27,100 | $27,100 | $21,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $18,000 | $18,000 | $23,991 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Milledgeville, GA
- Student Body
- 5,947 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,686
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,140
- Median Student Debt
- $22,250