Students at Atlanta Metropolitan State College benefit from exceptionally low costs, with net prices that rank among the most affordable nationwide for families across income levels.
The institution provides crucial access for low-income and first-generation students, though completion and earnings outcomes present significant challenges.
Atlanta Metropolitan State College serves as an affordable access point for higher education in Georgia, though it faces significant challenges in student outcomes. The institution enrolls a high proportion of students who need financial support, with 54% receiving Pell Grants and nearly 40% being first-generation college students. Net prices are exceptionally low, particularly for low-income families who pay just $4,415 annually, placing the college among the most affordable options nationwide.
However, the college struggles with completion and earnings outcomes. Only 14% of students complete their programs within six years, and those who do graduate earn a median of $33,252 ten years after enrollment, well below typical public institution levels. The college falls into the "Under-Resourced Institutions" mobility category, indicating high access but limited success in helping students achieve strong economic outcomes.
As a small public college in Atlanta, Atlanta Metropolitan State College provides an entry point for students who might not otherwise access higher education, but prospective students should carefully consider the completion rates and long-term financial outcomes when making enrollment decisions.
Atlanta Metropolitan State College does not have sufficient program-level data available to analyze specific fields of study or career outcomes by major. This limitation reflects the institution's small size and low completion rates, which result in very few graduates across most academic programs. The absence of detailed program information makes it difficult for prospective students to assess which fields of study might offer the strongest career prospects.
Without program-specific earnings data, students considering Atlanta Metropolitan State College should focus on the institution's overall outcomes and role as an access point for higher education. The college appears to function more as a community college-style institution providing foundational coursework and transfer preparation rather than as a comprehensive degree-granting university with distinct program strengths.
Prospective students should carefully research transfer pathways and articulation agreements with four-year institutions, as this may represent the most viable path to achieving stronger long-term educational and career outcomes. The institution's primary value lies in providing affordable access rather than in delivering specialized program expertise or strong career preparation in specific fields.
Graduates of Atlanta Metropolitan State College face significant challenges in achieving strong long-term financial outcomes. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $33,252, placing the institution in the bottom 10% nationally for earnings performance. This represents earnings that fall about $6,811 below what similar students achieve at other institutions, indicating that graduates earn less than would be expected given their backgrounds and characteristics.
The college's low completion rates compound these earnings challenges. With only 14% of students completing their programs within six years and 20% within eight years, most students who enroll do not reach graduation. For the small number who do complete their studies, career prospects remain limited, with only 40 students in the tracked cohort earning more than $75,000 annually.
These outcomes reflect the institution's role as a community college-like access point rather than a traditional four-year degree-granting institution. Students considering Atlanta Metropolitan State College should view it primarily as a stepping stone for transfer to other institutions or as preparation for entry-level employment, rather than as a path to high-earning careers.
Atlanta Metropolitan State College stands out for its exceptional affordability, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds. Low-income students pay just $4,415 per year in net costs, while middle-income families face annual expenses of $8,121. These figures place the college among the most affordable public institutions in the country, with affordability ranking in the top 7% nationally.
Debt levels remain manageable for most students, with typical federal loan borrowing of $14,123 and Parent PLUS loans averaging $15,000. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates who do borrow are generally able to meet their repayment obligations, though this may reflect the relatively small number of students who complete programs and enter repayment.
The combination of extremely low net prices and modest debt levels makes Atlanta Metropolitan State College one of the most financially accessible options for students who need to minimize upfront costs. However, families should weigh these affordability advantages against the institution's limited completion rates and below-average earnings outcomes when considering the overall value proposition.
Atlanta Metropolitan State College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
