University of West Georgia
University of West Georgia — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of West Georgia at a Glance
The University of West Georgia is a public university in Carrollton, Georgia, United States. The university offers a satellite campus in Newnan, Georgia, select classes at its Douglasville Center, and off-campus Museum Studies classes at the Atlanta History Center in Atlanta, Georgia. A total of 16,072 students, including 10,075 undergraduate and 5,997 graduate, were enrolled as of fall 2025. The university is also one of four comprehensive universities in the University System of Georgia.
1906
120 years old
$60M
$60.1 million
16,072
10,075 undergrad · 5,997 grad
644 acres
Identity
Is University of West Georgia Worth It?
University of West Georgia offers moderate value at $12,786/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $49,587, which is 8% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — 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.
How University of West Georgia compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in GA
Ranked #43 of 107 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 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #4 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | 100 | $3,203 | $56,195 |
| #5 | CUNY Lehman College | 100 | $3,148 | $58,013 |
| #6 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #43 | University of West Georgia | 42 | $12,786 | $49,587 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of West Georgia's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in GA.
Best Programs at University of West Georgia
The highest-earning program at University of West Georgia is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $65,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at $20,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of West Georgia earns $65,000, while a Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduate earns $20,700. 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 $23,250 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,786/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 | $65,000 | $65,000 | $23,250 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $59,600 | $59,600 | $29,432 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,200 | $42,200 | $22,875 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $41,700 | $41,700 | $25,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $36,700 | $36,700 | $31,000 |
| Marketing | $36,100 | $36,100 | $24,250 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $35,600 | $35,600 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,600 | $35,600 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $34,900 | $34,900 | $25,956 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,800 | $33,800 | $25,250 |
| Economics | $30,800 | $30,800 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $30,300 | $30,300 | $27,000 |
| Criminology | $30,100 | $30,100 | $27,625 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $29,700 | $29,700 | $25,370 |
| Journalism | $26,900 | $26,900 | $28,375 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $27,250 |
| Psychology, General | $25,200 | $25,200 | $29,000 |
| History | $24,900 | $24,900 | $33,473 |
| Biology, General | $23,600 | $23,600 | $28,876 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,200 | $22,200 | $27,625 |
| Political Science and Government | $21,200 | $21,200 | $24,975 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $20,700 | $20,700 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Carrollton, GA
- Student Body
- 7,520 students
- Admission Rate
- 52%
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,786
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,587
- Median Student Debt
- $23,970