Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Georgia State University #46 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Georgia State University in the 55.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Georgia State University #33 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Georgia State University's composite ranking reflects a university that delivers meaningful earnings advantages for students who might not expect them — a pattern driven by the institution's scale, program mix, and deep roots in one of the South's largest labor markets. The mobility ranking reinforces that story: Georgia State University consistently moves a broad and diverse student population toward durable financial outcomes, anchored by strong business, health, and applied-science programs that connect directly to Atlanta's employer base.
Azimuth ranks Georgia State University #46 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Atlanta, GA, Georgia State University enrolls roughly 26,623 undergraduates. Retention stands at 79.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 53.1%, figures that reflect steady institutional investment in keeping students on track to degree completion. The composite is driven by what Georgia State University does for the students it serves — and the range of students it serves is unusually broad. 50.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 32.3% are first-generation college students, one of the highest concentrations among large research universities. With an admission rate of 55.4%, Georgia State University maintains a broad-access posture, and Azimuth ranks the institution in the 97.8 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — a reflection of how effectively it converts that access into upward economic movement. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Georgia State University in the 55.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Business anchors the program mix, and the university's scale in Atlanta's diversified labor market gives graduates direct access to employers across finance, healthcare, logistics, and technology. Affordability sits in the 75.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, shaped by public-tuition pricing and substantial need-based aid. Access sits in the 98.2 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions, reinforcing the institution's role as one of the most inclusive large research universities in the Southeast.
Georgia State University's published cost of attendance is $28,241, but need-based aid reshapes what families actually pay across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $13,787 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $16,656, and higher-income families pay approximately $20,305. Azimuth ranks Georgia State University #351 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The spread across income bands reflects Georgia State's public-tuition structure and its broad financial-aid reach, which together keep net prices meaningfully below sticker for most students who qualify for need-based support. As with any institution, net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown — see the net price illusion for context on how published costs and actual costs diverge. Georgia State University participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and work-study, per the financial aid page. The university also maintains a scholarship portal connecting students to institutional and external scholarship opportunities. These aid channels collectively help close the gap between sticker price and what students pay, particularly for Pell-eligible students who represent a substantial share of the Georgia State undergraduate population. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,903, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,837; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $58,898, median federal debt of $20,903 projects to a monthly payment of about $236 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Georgia State University is a strong fit for students drawn to business, public administration, and applied professional fields who want an urban research university experience in Atlanta, GA, with a program mix oriented toward career-ready outcomes in one of the South's most dynamic labor markets. The earnings case is solid. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $58,898, placing Georgia State University in the 39.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Georgia State University in the 55.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The access and aid structure is broad. 50.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 32.3% are first-generation college students — among the highest shares of any research university in the region — and Georgia State University sits in the 58.6 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions on a historical 10-year Scorecard measure, meaning students from lower-income backgrounds have consistently converted access into meaningful long-run earnings. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program portfolio is concentrated in Business and related applied fields, so students whose interests align there will find the strongest outcomes, and the urban commuter-oriented campus culture suits students who are self-directed and connected to Atlanta's job market rather than those seeking a traditional residential campus experience.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Georgia State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Georgia State University's published cost of attendance is $28,241, but need-based aid reshapes what families actually pay across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $13,787 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $16,656, and higher-income families pay approximately $20,305.
Azimuth ranks Georgia State University #351 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The spread across income bands reflects Georgia State's public-tuition structure and its broad financial-aid reach, which together keep net prices meaningfully below sticker for most students who qualify for need-based support.
As with any institution, net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown — see the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) for context on how published costs and actual costs diverge. Georgia State University participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and work-study, per the financial aid page.
The university also maintains a scholarship portal connecting students to institutional and external scholarship opportunities. These aid channels collectively help close the gap between sticker price and what students pay, particularly for Pell-eligible students who represent a substantial share of the Georgia State undergraduate population.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,903, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,837; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $58,898, median federal debt of $20,903 projects to a monthly payment of about $236 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Georgia State University earn median 4-year earnings of $58,898, placing Georgia State University in the 39.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $553 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 55.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Georgia State University #796 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.
Psychology, General reports 448 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $49,050, ranked #181 nationally in its major. Biology, General reports 375 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $52,222, ranked #244 nationally in its major.
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other reports 374 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $50,632, ranked #56 nationally in its major. Computer Science reports 353 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $100,582, ranked #93 nationally in its major.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Georgia Gwinnett College Higher acceptance rate (33.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 27 miles away; similar graduate earnings | GA | 96% | $47,730 | Compare |
Truett Mcconnell University Higher acceptance rate (28.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 69 miles away; similar graduate earnings | GA | 91% | $46,700 | Compare |
Shorter University Higher acceptance rate (34.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 58 miles away; similar graduate earnings | GA | 97% | $44,604 | Compare |
Southern Wesleyan University Higher acceptance rate (37.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | SC | 100% | $47,756 | Compare |
Fairmont State University Higher acceptance rate (37 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | WV | 99% | $46,857 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice Similar quality tier (#2098 ranked) | NY | 57% | $56,195 | #2098 | Compare |
Stony Brook University Similar quality tier (#2097 ranked) | NY | 49% | $74,502 | #2097 | Compare |
Cuny City College Similar quality tier (#2100 ranked) | NY | 60% | $66,039 | #2100 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At El Paso Similar quality tier (#1071 ranked) | TX | 100% | $50,923 | #1071 | Compare |
California State University-San Bernardino Similar quality tier (#2102 ranked) | CA | 94% | $59,977 | #2102 | Compare |
Insurance
47 graduates
Computer Science
353 graduates
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
37 graduates
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
31 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
161 graduates
Georgia State University's program mix is anchored in Business, with substantial enrollment across health, social science, and interdisciplinary fields. Psychology, General is the largest program with 448 graduates, followed by Biology, General (375 graduates), Interdisciplinary Studies (374 graduates), Computer Science (353 graduates), and Artificial Intelligence (319 graduates).
Business accounts for 20% of degree output, Social Sciences represents 8%, and Arts adds 8% — a distribution that reflects the university's broad applied-professional orientation across 47 programs serving roughly 5,296 students annually. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in quantitative and applied-technology fields.
Computer Science leads with median earnings of $100,582 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #75 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The Artificial Intelligence program graduates 319 students with median earnings of $87,020, and Azimuth ranks it #76 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Finance earns $82,688 with a cohort of 236 graduates, and Azimuth ranks it #57 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The contrast between these high-earning fields and the institution's largest programs — where Psychology, General graduates earn $49,050 and Biology, General graduates earn $52,222 — illustrates how program choice shapes financial outcomes at Georgia State University.
Several of the university's highest-earning programs feed directly into Atlanta's technology and finance sectors, making them high-mobility pathways where four-year earnings reflect genuine labor-market demand. Interdisciplinary Studies and Computer Science, by contrast, include a meaningful share of graduates who continue to graduate or professional school, where four-year earnings undercount the full career trajectory.
For context on how these fields align with national [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/), families can explore Azimuth's labor-market framework. Azimuth's [program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/) details how each program is evaluated relative to peers nationally. ```
