Students at Georgia Southern University consistently achieve higher-than-expected earnings, with graduates earning more than $5,000 annually beyond what similar students achieve at comparable institutions.
The university's designation as a Mobility Engine reflects its exceptional ability to combine broad access with meaningful upward economic mobility for students from diverse backgrounds.
Azimuth ranks Georgia Southern University among the middle tier of public four-year institutions nationwide, but the university's true strength lies in its exceptional ability to support student mobility and deliver strong value for the price. Located in Statesboro, Georgia Southern serves as a designated "Mobility Engine," combining broad access with outcomes that consistently help students climb the economic ladder. About 35% of students receive Pell Grants and 25% are first-generation college students, yet graduates still achieve solid long-term earnings that exceed expectations by more than $5,000 annually.
What makes Georgia Southern particularly compelling is how it balances accessibility with financial sustainability. Net prices remain reasonable across income levels—low-income students pay about $13,139 annually while middle-income families see costs around $16,475—and graduates typically leave with manageable debt loads. The university's 10-year median earnings of $53,236 provide a solid foundation for loan repayment and long-term financial stability.
As a large public university in Georgia, Georgia Southern offers the comprehensive program mix and campus resources students expect from a major state institution, while maintaining the affordability and accessibility that make higher education attainable for working families. The combination of reasonable costs, strong graduation support, and earnings that outperform expectations makes it a reliable choice for students focused on practical career outcomes.
Georgia Southern University's program portfolio emphasizes practical, career-focused fields that lead directly to stable employment and solid earnings. Adult Health Nursing represents the university's strongest combination of scale and outcomes, graduating 285 students who earn a median of $60,162—making it both the largest high-return program and a key driver of the university's overall financial performance. Business Administration and Management enrolls the most students at 303 graduates, providing broad career preparation with median earnings of $45,696.
Engineering programs deliver the highest individual earnings, with Mechanical Engineering graduates earning $65,506 for 187 students. This reflects Georgia Southern's growing strength in technical fields that serve regional industry needs and provide clear pathways to well-paying careers. The university's engineering programs combine solid enrollment numbers with strong financial outcomes, contributing meaningfully to overall graduate success.
The range of outcomes across programs—from Creative Writing at $21,508 to Mechanical Engineering at $65,506—reflects Georgia Southern's comprehensive academic mission. Students can pursue diverse interests while understanding the financial implications of their choices. The university's strength lies in programs that balance enrollment scale with career outcomes, particularly in nursing, business, and engineering fields that serve both student interests and regional economic development needs.
Georgia Southern University graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $53,236 ten years after enrollment. More importantly, graduates earn about $5,350 more annually than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the university's ability to add meaningful value beyond what students might achieve elsewhere. This earnings advantage places Georgia Southern in a strong position among public universities for delivering higher-than-expected financial returns.
The university's strongest earning programs center on practical, career-focused fields. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both the highest aggregate return major and a program with exceptional individual outcomes—285 graduates earn a median of $60,162, combining high enrollment with strong pay. Mechanical Engineering delivers the highest individual earnings at $65,506 for 187 graduates, while Business Administration and Management represents the largest program footprint with 303 graduates earning $45,696. These programs reflect Georgia Southern's emphasis on fields with clear career pathways and stable employment demand.
Program outcomes vary meaningfully by field of study, with engineering and nursing leading the way for early-career earnings, while liberal arts fields like Creative Writing show more modest financial returns at $21,508. This range reflects the university's comprehensive program mix, where students can pursue diverse academic interests while understanding the financial implications of their major choice.
Georgia Southern University maintains strong affordability across income levels, making it accessible to families from diverse economic backgrounds. Low-income students pay about $13,139 per year after aid, well below many public university averages, while middle-income families see annual costs around $16,475. Even higher-income families face reasonable net prices at $20,259, creating predictable costs that help families plan effectively over four years.
Debt levels remain manageable for most Georgia Southern graduates. Typical students leave with about $23,250 in federal loan debt, a moderate level that aligns well with the university's median earnings outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $13,532, reflecting families' measured approach to educational financing. The university's zero percent federal loan default rate indicates that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully, supported by earnings that provide adequate repayment capacity.
What makes Georgia Southern particularly sustainable financially is the relationship between what students borrow and what they earn after graduation. With median 10-year earnings of $53,236, most graduates can handle standard loan repayment comfortably, and the university's track record of supporting students through graduation helps ensure that borrowing translates into degree completion rather than debt without credentials.
Georgia Southern University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
