Georgia Highlands College
Georgia Highlands College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Georgia Highlands College at a Glance
Georgia Highlands College is a public college in northwest Georgia. It has locations in Floyd County, Cartersville, Marietta, and Dallas and serves the northwest parts of Georgia, as well as parts of east Alabama and southeast Tennessee. A member of the University System of Georgia, the college was originally a community college and has since expanded to also offer bachelor degrees. Between 5,700 and 6,100 students are enrolled at GHC in any given semester, representing 49 different countries. I…
1970
56 years old
4,796
200 acres
Identity
Is Georgia Highlands College Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Georgia Highlands College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $43,184 — 20% below average — while paying $6,928/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 21% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 2 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Georgia Highlands College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Georgia Highlands College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in GA
Ranked #162 of 237 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 |
| #162 | Georgia Highlands College | 32 | $6,928 | $43,184 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Georgia Highlands College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 15 in GA.
Best Programs at Georgia Highlands College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Georgia Highlands College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $6,928/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
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Rome, GA
- Student Body
- 4,761 students
- Graduation Rate
- 21%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $6,928
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $43,184
- Median Student Debt
- $12,000