Valdosta State University
Valdosta State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Valdosta State University at a Glance
Valdosta State University is a public university in Valdosta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1906, it launched in 1913 as an all-girls college. VSU is one of the four comprehensive universities in the University System of Georgia. As of 2019, VSU had over 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students. VSU also offers classes at Moody Air Force Base, located northeast of Valdosta in Lowndes County.
1906
120 years old
$21M
$20.8 million
10,308
168 acres
Identity
Is Valdosta State University Worth It?
Valdosta State University offers moderate value at $10,945/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $49,361, 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 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 42% 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 median debt of $24,779 representing 50% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How Valdosta State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in GA
Ranked #37 of 135 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 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #3 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #4 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #5 | Shasta College | 89 | $2,878 | $39,269 |
| #6 | Northwest Florida State College | 88 | $4,571 | $39,664 |
| #37 | Valdosta State University | 47 | $10,945 | $49,361 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Valdosta State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in GA.
Best Programs at Valdosta State University
The highest-earning program at Valdosta State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $55,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $15,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Valdosta State University earns $55,900, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $15,400. 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 $23,500 in median debt vs. $26,500 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,945/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 | $55,900 | $55,900 | $23,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $36,800 | $36,800 | $24,450 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,300 | $34,300 | $28,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,100 | $33,100 | $28,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $33,100 | $33,100 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,000 | $33,000 | $26,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $32,300 | $32,300 | $25,500 |
| Marketing | $30,900 | $30,900 | $25,250 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | $30,400 | $30,400 | $36,600 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,900 | $28,900 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $28,800 | $28,800 | $27,875 |
| Political Science and Government | $27,400 | $27,400 | $26,000 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | $26,900 | $26,900 | $31,257 |
| Biology, General | $26,600 | $26,600 | $26,207 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,500 | $26,500 | $25,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $26,300 | $26,300 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,200 | $25,200 | $23,090 |
| Psychology, General | $25,000 | $25,000 | $27,557 |
| History | $22,800 | $22,800 | $25,875 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $15,400 | $15,400 | $26,500 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Valdosta, GA
- Student Body
- 6,622 students
- Admission Rate
- 72%
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,945
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,361
- Median Student Debt
- $24,779