Georgia Southwestern State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Georgia Southwestern State University charges a net price of $12,019/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $48,076. Graduates earn a median $48,757 ten years after entry, $397/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 121.1 years — a 20-year net return of -$40,136, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Georgia Southwestern State University's 121.1-year payback ranks #1,240 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 3% of them, and #24 of 100 in Georgia.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $12,019/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $48,076 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $48,757 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $397/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $18,851 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 121.1 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$40,136 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Georgia Southwestern State University's own numbers. Net price $12,019 × 4 years = $48,076 total. Median earnings $48,757 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $397 a year of premium. $48,076 ÷ $397 = 121.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$40,136. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Georgia Southwestern State University students graduate with?
A median $18,851 in federal loans among completers, or 39% of the $48,757 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Georgia Southwestern State University students graduate?
41% finish their degree — 59% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $48,076 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $117,259 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Georgia Southwestern State University expensive compared with other Georgia colleges?
Its $12,019 net price runs $3,656 below the $15,675 median across the 100 Georgia colleges we profile, and $14,624 less across the full degree.