Georgia Southwestern State University

Georgia Southwestern State University's program mix is anchored in Business, reflecting the institution's identity as a career-oriented regional public university serving southwest Georgia. The largest program by graduate volume is Teacher Education, with 60 graduates earning median earnings of $48,001 four years after enrollment, followed by Nursing (52 graduates, $80,811) and Business Administration (48 graduates, $65,514).

Together, these programs account for the bulk of degree output and reflect the institution's applied, workforce-oriented focus across 20 programs serving roughly 389 students annually. The strongest earnings outcomes at Georgia Southwestern State University are concentrated in a handful of fields.

Nursing leads with median earnings of $80,811 four years after enrollment — Azimuth ranks the program #277 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, per the [program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). Business Administration follows with median earnings of $65,514, and Human Resources Management and Services graduates earn $64,973 — both reflecting the applied-professional orientation that characterizes Georgia Southwestern State University's strongest programs.

The program mix at Georgia Southwestern State University skews toward fields with direct regional labor-market alignment — particularly Business (31% of graduates), Education (17%), and Arts (4%). These are largely local-labor and applied-professional pathways rather than high-mobility national-market fields, which shapes both the earnings distribution and the career trajectories graduates can expect.

The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with broader labor-market trends.

Georgia Southwestern State University's published cost of attendance is $20,484. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $10,477, middle-income families pay around $13,508, and higher-income families pay approximately $15,415.

Azimuth ranks Georgia Southwestern State University #139 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 Southwestern State University participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the institution works to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay through a combination of grant aid and loan options.

The affordability rank reflects both the headline net price and the debt load graduates carry, accounting for how financial aid reshapes the initial cost of attendance across income levels. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,851, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $9,000; 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 $62,132, median federal debt of $18,851 projects to a monthly payment of about $213 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 Southwestern State University earn median 4-year earnings of $62,132, placing Georgia Southwestern State University in the 52.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,399 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 68.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Azimuth ranks Georgia Southwestern State University #763 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods reports 60 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $48,001, ranked #123 nationally in its major. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing reports 52 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $80,811, ranked #262 nationally in its major.

Business Administration, Management and Operations reports 48 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $65,514, ranked #222 nationally in its major. Psychology, General reports 45 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $39,403, ranked #330 nationally in its major.