Piedmont University
Piedmont University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Piedmont University at a Glance
Piedmont University is a private university in Demorest and Athens, Georgia. Founded in 1897, Piedmont's Demorest campus includes 300 acres in a traditional residential-college setting located in the foothills of the northeast Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains. Total enrollment is approximately 2,500 students and the campus includes ten residence halls housing more than 750 students.
1897
129 years old
$53M
$52,552,848
2,571
1,278 undergrad · 1,293 grad
127
300 acres
Identity
Is Piedmont University Worth It?
At a value score of 26/100, Piedmont University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $49,130 — 9% below average — while paying $20,599/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 44% 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 a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $25,000 representing 51% 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 Piedmont University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Piedmont University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in GA
Ranked #80 of 126 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #4 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #5 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #6 | Waynesburg University | 50 | $18,235 | $58,537 |
| #80 | Piedmont University | 26 | $20,599 | $49,130 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Piedmont University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in GA.
Best Programs at Piedmont University
The highest-earning program at Piedmont University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $56,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $25,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Piedmont University earns $56,000, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $25,100. 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 $24,505 in median debt vs. $27,748 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,599/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 | $56,000 | $56,000 | $24,505 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,300 | $38,300 | $23,207 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,500 | $32,500 | $28,998 |
| Psychology, General | $25,100 | $25,100 | $27,748 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Demorest, GA
- Student Body
- 1,117 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,599
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,130
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000