Paine College
Paine College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Paine College Worth It?
At a value score of 8/100, Paine College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $33,338 — 38% below average — while paying $16,670/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 17% 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.
With a 95% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Paine College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Paine College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #35 of 41 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 | Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary | 100 | $3,822 | $36,442 |
| #2 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #3 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #4 | Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef D'spinka | 52 | $5,646 | $36,545 |
| #5 | United Tribes Technical College | 49 | $3,569 | $25,292 |
| #6 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #35 | Paine College | 8 | $16,670 | $33,338 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Paine College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in GA.
Best Programs at Paine College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Paine 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 $16,670/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
- private
- Location
- Augusta, GA
- Student Body
- 388 students
- Admission Rate
- 95%
- Graduation Rate
- 17%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,670
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $33,338