Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Piedmont University #803 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $65,743, placing Piedmont University in the 70.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Piedmont University sits in the 86.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Piedmont University #803 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Demorest, Georgia, Piedmont University enrolls roughly 1,117 undergraduates. Retention is 69.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 47.4%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Where Piedmont University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Piedmont University #477 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $65,743, and Piedmont University sits in the 86.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's concentration in Health fields, where employer demand and career pathways support strong early-career financial outcomes. Access and affordability round out the composite. Piedmont University enrolls 42.4% Pell-eligible students and 31.5% first-generation undergraduates, positioning the institution in the 31.3 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution sits in the 51.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a private tuition structure reshaped by institutional aid for qualifying families. For students pursuing health-related degrees and seeking a smaller, residential campus environment with demonstrated earnings outcomes, Piedmont University offers a focused pathway to financial stability after graduation.
Piedmont University's published cost of attendance is $46,801. Net price by income band varies meaningfully across the income spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $15,416, middle-income families pay around $19,085, and higher-income families pay approximately $25,622. Azimuth ranks Piedmont University #698 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. Piedmont University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though families should understand that net price and sticker price can differ substantially depending on individual circumstances and aid eligibility. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,872; 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 $65,743, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Piedmont University is a strong fit for students seeking a private nonprofit institution in Georgia with a focus on health-oriented fields. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $65,743, placing Piedmont University in the 70.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $10,432 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 86.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 42.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 31.5% are first-generation — and delivers outcomes that place it in the 15.2 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 93.3% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors health-oriented fields over others. Students whose interests align with these areas and who can navigate the application process will find strong outcomes relative to Georgia's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,928.
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 Piedmont 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.
Piedmont University's published cost of attendance is $46,801. Net price by income band varies meaningfully across the income spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $15,416, middle-income families pay around $19,085, and higher-income families pay approximately $25,622.
Azimuth ranks Piedmont University #698 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.
Piedmont University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though families should understand that [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) depending on individual circumstances and aid eligibility.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,872; 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 $65,743, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 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 Piedmont University earn median 4-year earnings of $65,743, placing Piedmont University in the 70.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $10,432 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Piedmont University in the 86.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Piedmont University #477 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect lifetime returns relative to GA's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,928.
The earnings pattern centers on Health fields, which anchor the institution's economic signature. Nursing is the largest program with 60 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $79,552, representing 0.9x the national benchmark for the field.
The Teacher Education program graduates 43 students with median 4-year earnings of $45,643, and Business Administration delivers median 4-year earnings of $65,564 across 23 graduates. Additional programs including Subject-Specific Teacher Education and Psychology, General round out the portfolio, contributing to the institution's overall earnings profile and demonstrating breadth across Health-related fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Martin Luther College Similar quality tier (#21447 ranked) | MN | 87% | $47,491 | #21447 | Compare |
Mcdaniel College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#21975 ranked) | MD | 78% | $60,663 | #21975 | Compare |
Lake Forest College Similar quality tier (#21977 ranked) | IL | 57% | $61,825 | #21977 | Compare |
Husson University Similar quality tier (#22494 ranked) | ME | 81% | $45,025 | #22494 | Compare |
Herzing University-Birmingham Similar quality tier in Southeast (#21426 ranked) | AL | 93% | $36,909 | #21426 | Compare |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
60 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
23 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
43 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
12 graduates
Psychology, General
13 graduates
Piedmont University's program mix is anchored in health sciences and related clinical fields, a portfolio aligned with the institution's mission as a private nonprofit serving the Southeast. Nursing is the largest program with 60 graduates, followed by Teacher Education (43 graduates), Business Administration (23 graduates), Subject-Specific Teacher Education, and Psychology, General.
The dominant program family, Health, represents a substantial share of the institution's degree output across 17 total programs. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in health-related and applied professional fields.
Nursing graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $79,552 with 60 graduates, while Business Administration delivers median earnings of $65,564. Teacher Education and $45,643 round out the highest-earning programs, reflecting the institution's strength in fields where clinical credentials and direct labor-market entry drive early-career compensation.
These programs serve students seeking stable, in-demand careers in healthcare and related professions. Piedmont University's program concentration in Health aligns with regional labor-market demand and the institution's positioning as a health-sciences-focused private university.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with national wage trends and employment growth in healthcare and related sectors.
