Students at Georgia Southwestern benefit from one of the more affordable public education options in Georgia, with particularly strong value for low-income families.
The university provides reliable access to degree completion and modest earnings gains, making it a solid choice for students prioritizing affordability over high earnings potential.
Georgia Southwestern State University is a medium-sized public institution in Americus, Georgia, that prioritizes accessibility and affordability over high earnings outcomes. While the university doesn't rank among the top performers nationally for long-term earnings, it provides solid value through reasonable net prices and strong support for students from diverse backgrounds. About 41% of students receive Pell Grants and 35% are first-generation college students, reflecting the university's commitment to serving students who might not otherwise have access to higher education.
The university's strength lies in its affordability profile, with net prices that rank in the top 30% nationally for value. Low-income students pay around $10,602 annually, while middle-income families see costs of approximately $13,237 per year. These manageable price points, combined with modest debt levels, create a pathway to degree completion without overwhelming financial burden.
As a regional public university, Georgia Southwestern focuses on practical career preparation through programs like nursing, business administration, and education. While graduates earn a median of $48,757 ten years after enrollment—below national averages—the university provides a solid foundation for students seeking stable careers in healthcare, business, and public service fields within Georgia and the broader Southeast region.
Georgia Southwestern's program portfolio reflects its mission as a regional public university focused on practical career preparation. Nursing emerges as the clear financial standout, with Adult Health Nursing graduates earning $63,005 ten years out—nearly $15,000 above the institutional median. This program combines substantial enrollment with strong earnings, making it the university's primary economic engine and demonstrating the institution's strength in healthcare education.
Business programs form another core component of the university's offerings, with Business Administration graduates earning $41,193 and Accounting Technology students seeing median earnings of $36,914. These programs provide solid middle-class career pathways, particularly for students planning to work in Georgia's regional business markets. The university's focus on practical business skills rather than high-finance careers reflects its commitment to serving local workforce needs.
Education programs, represented by Adult and Continuing Education at $33,053 in median earnings, show the university's role in preparing teachers and education professionals. While these programs generate lower earnings, they serve critical community needs and provide stable career paths for graduates committed to public service. The program mix overall emphasizes accessibility and regional workforce development over high-earning specializations.
Georgia Southwestern State University graduates earn a median of $48,757 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution below national averages for long-term earnings outcomes. However, graduates do see some earnings beyond expectations, earning about $5,056 more than similar students at comparable institutions, which helps offset the lower absolute earnings levels. The university's return profile reflects its focus on accessible education rather than high-earning career tracks.
Nursing stands out as the university's strongest financial program, with Adult Health Nursing graduates earning a median of $63,005 ten years out—significantly above the institutional average. This program combines high enrollment with strong pay, making it a key economic engine for the school. Business Administration graduates earn around $41,193, while Accounting Technology students see median earnings of $36,914. Adult and Continuing Education represents the more modest end of the earnings spectrum at $33,053, reflecting the university's role in preparing teachers and education professionals.
The university's program mix emphasizes practical, career-focused fields that serve regional workforce needs. While overall earnings lag behind research universities and flagship institutions, Georgia Southwestern provides reliable pathways into stable professions, particularly in healthcare and business sectors where graduates can build steady, if not spectacular, financial futures.
Georgia Southwestern State University delivers strong affordability across all income levels, with net prices that rank well above average nationally. Low-income students pay approximately $10,602 per year, while middle-income families see annual costs around $13,237—both figures representing solid value compared with similar public institutions. Even high-income families pay a reasonable $15,617 annually, making the university accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds.
Debt levels remain manageable for most graduates, with typical federal student loan debt of $18,851—a moderate amount that aligns with the university's focus on keeping education accessible. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $8,409, reflecting families' limited use of parent loans and the university's success in keeping total borrowing reasonable. The combination of affordable net prices and modest debt loads creates a sustainable financial model for most students.
With median earnings of $48,757 ten years after graduation, most borrowers can handle standard loan repayment without significant financial strain. The university's loan repayment patterns show steady progress, with borrowers making consistent headway on their balances over the first several years after graduation, indicating that debt levels align reasonably well with graduates' earning capacity.
Georgia Southwestern State University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
