Georgia Southern combines accessible admission with excellent economic mobility outcomes. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the university produces $5,350 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining affordable costs and manageable debt levels, supporting long-term financial advancement for diverse student populations.
With above average designation, driven by solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With above average tier performance, reflecting controlled costs and moderate debt levels
With excellent tier designation, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
With excellent tier designation, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisGeorgia Southern University delivers solid earnings outcomes while maintaining affordability and accessibility. Graduates earn a median of $53,236 ten years after enrollment, around the national average, with earnings ranging from $32,941 at the 25th percentile to $79,064 at the 75th percentile.
The institution generates $5,350 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 74.9th percentile nationally on this measure, indicating strong value relative to student demographics and institutional characteristics. Low-income graduates earn $43,200, demonstrating meaningful economic advancement for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Students seeking accessible higher education with strong economic mobility outcomes, particularly those from lower-income families. Well-suited for first-generation students who want comprehensive program options at an affordable public institution with proven track records for career advancement and manageable debt levels.
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.
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This is the Georgia Southern University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/georgia-southern-university/analysis.
Top-tier mobility performance nationwide
Georgia Southern University ranks #142 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, achieving excellent performance in mobility at the 95.1st percentile. Located in Statesboro, Georgia, this large public university maintains open access with an 89.6% admission rate while delivering strong economic mobility outcomes for diverse student populations.
The institution enrolls 35.5% Pell-eligible students and 25.1% first-generation students, reflecting its commitment to educational access. Graduates earn $5,350 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 74.9th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $53,236 ten years after enrollment, positioning Georgia Southern around the national average for long-term earnings outcomes. The university demonstrates exceptional mobility performance, combining accessible admission with meaningful economic advancement for students from lower-income backgrounds, earning its classification as an Opportunity Builder institution.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Georgia Southern's published cost of attendance is $24,563 per year, including $16,959 in out-of-state tuition, $10,993 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. Georgia residents pay significantly less with in-state tuition of just $5,905, creating substantial savings for state residents.
However, the average student pays $16,531 after financial aid, representing $8,032 in average financial aid savings from the sticker price. This net price is $941 below the peer median of $15,590, indicating Georgia Southern provides better value than comparable institutions.
The financial aid system effectively reduces costs for most students, with particularly strong support for lower-income families. Net prices range from $13,139 for families earning under $30,000 to $20,259 for families earning over $110,000, demonstrating progressive affordability that scales with family income.
This cost structure positions Georgia Southern as an accessible option for students across diverse economic backgrounds, with particularly strong value for Georgia residents and lower-income families nationwide. The combination of reasonable sticker prices and effective financial aid creates sustainable college costs that support degree completion without excessive debt accumulation.
Georgia Southern graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their career trajectory. Median earnings rise from $44,423 six years after enrollment to $49,438 at eight years and $53,236 at ten years, representing 19.8% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts of 6,663 graduates at six years, 8,531 at eight years, and 8,044 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $5,350 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Georgia Southern at the 74.9th percentile for earnings uplift.
This indicates the institution adds meaningful value relative to student backgrounds and program mix. Low-income graduates earn $43,200, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Earnings span from $32,941 at the 25th percentile to $79,064 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 27.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Georgia Southern admits 89.6% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 out of 10 applicants receive offers of admission. This places Georgia Southern in the Open Access category, indicating broad educational opportunity for students across diverse academic backgrounds.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows that Georgia Southern is more accessible than typical four-year institutions, providing 11.5 percentage points higher acceptance rates than comparable schools. This level of accessibility means that most students who meet basic admission requirements can expect to gain entry to the university.
For prospective students, Georgia Southern represents a reliable option for higher education access, though students should still demonstrate academic preparation and motivation in their applications. The university's open access mission supports its role as an Opportunity Builder institution, creating pathways for students who might face barriers at more selective universities.
Students should view Georgia Southern as a strong foundation choice when building college lists, particularly those seeking comprehensive program options with accessible entry requirements. The high acceptance rate allows students to focus on academic preparation and program fit rather than admission uncertainty.
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician.
108 graduates
Information Resources Management.
61 graduates
Manufacturing Engineering.
17 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
79 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
81 graduates
Georgia Southern offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Construction Engineering Technology ranks #4 nationally and #1 in Georgia, producing 108 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $86,837 and a strong value score of 90.3.
Information Science ranks #24 nationally and #1 in Georgia, graduating 128 students with median earnings of $71,263. Adult Health Nursing ranks #113 nationally and #4 in Georgia, with 285 graduates earning $69,167 annually.
Business Administration represents the largest program by enrollment, graduating 303 students with median earnings of $58,087 and ranking #121 nationally. Exercise Science and Kinesiology ranks #25 nationally and #2 in Georgia, graduating 286 students with median earnings of $51,716.
Allied Health Diagnostic professions rank #15 nationally and #1 in Georgia, producing 118 graduates with strong value scores reflecting excellent return on investment relative to debt levels.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The University Of Tennessee-Knoxville Similar quality tier in Southeast (#141 ranked) | TN | 46% | $60,249 | #141 | Compare |
Indiana University-Indianapolis Similar quality tier (#140 ranked) | IN | 81% | $55,198 | #140 | Compare |
University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities Similar quality tier (#144 ranked) | MN | 77% | $69,020 | #144 | Compare |
University Of North Florida Similar quality tier in Southeast (#138 ranked) | FL | 62% | $56,343 | #138 | Compare |
Indiana University-Bloomington Similar quality tier (#146 ranked) | IN | 80% | $63,742 | #146 | Compare |