Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Georgia College & State University #691 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $62,852, placing Georgia College & State University in the 63.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Georgia College & State University sits in the 32.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Georgia College & State University #691 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Milledgeville, Georgia, Georgia College & State University enrolls roughly 5,947 undergraduates. Retention stands at 82.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 63.6%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional public institution. Georgia College & State University delivers consistent value across its core pillars. Azimuth ranks Georgia College & State University #753 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,058 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Georgia College & State University in the 32.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio, anchored in Business, supports graduates into stable career pathways with earnings that outperform expectations relative to comparable institutions. Access and affordability round out the composite. Georgia College & State University enrolls 17.6% Pell-eligible students and 19.9% first-generation undergraduates, positioning it in the 32.5 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution sits in the 58.6 percentile for affordability, reflecting a public tuition structure and need-based aid reach that keeps net prices manageable for most families. For students seeking a public master's university with solid long-term financial outcomes and broad access, Georgia College & State University offers a reliable path to degree completion and earnings growth.
Georgia College & State University's published cost of attendance is $30,258. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $15,396, families in the lower-middle range pay around $16,772, middle-income families pay about $19,179, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $22,294, and higher-income families pay around $23,216. Azimuth ranks Georgia College & State University #591 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 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. Georgia College & State University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility and aid packages. The institution's public tuition structure and regional location in Georgia contribute to its affordability profile relative to private institutions and those in higher cost-of-living regions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,753; 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 $62,852, median federal debt of $22,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $251 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Georgia College & State University is a strong fit for students interested in business, education, and the liberal arts who want a public university experience in GA. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $62,852, placing Georgia College & State University in the 63.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $6,058 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 32.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 17.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 19.9% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Georgia College & State University in the 43.9 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 78.2% admit rate makes the application process moderately competitive, and the program mix favors Business and related fields — students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes.
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
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Georgia College & 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 College & State University's published cost of attendance is $30,258. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $15,396, families in the lower-middle range pay around $16,772, middle-income families pay about $19,179, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $22,294, and higher-income families pay around $23,216.
Azimuth ranks Georgia College & State University #591 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 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.
Georgia College & State University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility and aid packages.
The institution's public tuition structure and regional location in Georgia contribute to its affordability profile relative to private institutions and those in higher cost-of-living regions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,753; 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 $62,852, median federal debt of $22,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $251 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 College & State University earn median 4-year earnings of $62,852, placing Georgia College & State University in the 63.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,058 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Georgia College & State University in the 32.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Georgia College & State University #753 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Georgia College & State University's concentration in business and applied professional fields.
Digital Marketing is the largest program with 117 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $71,560, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Nursing program graduates 107 students with median 4-year earnings of $83,058, and Research Psychology delivers median 4-year earnings of $54,441 across 90 graduates.
Journalism and Kinesiology round out the top programs, with graduates earning $57,843 and $55,817 respectively. This program mix — anchored by Business — supports solid early-career outcomes and sustained earnings growth through the early career years.
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
58 graduates
Computer Science
21 graduates
Business/Managerial Economics
17 graduates
Physics
7 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
107 graduates
Georgia College & State University's program mix is anchored in business, education, and health-related fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a comprehensive public regional university. Digital Marketing is the largest program with 117 graduates, followed by Nursing, Research Psychology, Journalism, and Kinesiology.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 1,214 students annually, several deliver solid four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The earnings pattern reflects strength in applied business and professional fields.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $83,058 four years after enrollment, followed by Business Administration at $71,795, Digital Marketing at $71,560, Accounting at $69,875, and Public Health at $62,386. The concentration in Business — accounting for 23% of graduates — combined with meaningful enrollment in Education (8%) and Arts (3%), positions graduates for stable career pathways in sectors with consistent regional hiring.
Several of these programs represent high-mobility direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes — particularly in accounting, business administration, and nursing fields. Others, such as psychology and biology, are foundational disciplines where some graduates continue to graduate or professional school, meaning four-year earnings undercount the full trajectory for that cohort.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Georgia College & State University's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market trends.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
College Of Charleston Similar quality tier in Southeast (#19234 ranked) | SC | 60% | $56,416 | #19234 | Compare |
Colorado State University Pueblo Similar quality tier (#19231 ranked) | CO | 95% | $55,563 | #19231 | Compare |
Lewis-Clark State College Similar quality tier (#19225 ranked) | ID | 88% | $46,001 | #19225 | Compare |
Frostburg State University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#19222 ranked) | MD | 89% | $55,493 | #19222 | Compare |
Gordon State College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#20274 ranked) | GA | 86% | $37,871 | #20274 | Compare |
