Piedmont University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Piedmont University charges a net price of $20,599/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $82,396. Graduates earn a median $49,130 ten years after entry, $770/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 107 years — a 20-year net return of -$66,996, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Piedmont University's 107-year payback ranks #1,235 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 4% of them, and #23 of 100 in Georgia.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $20,599/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $82,396 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $49,130 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $770/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 107 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$66,996 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Piedmont University's own numbers. Net price $20,599 × 4 years = $82,396 total. Median earnings $49,130 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $770 a year of premium. $82,396 ÷ $770 = 107 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$66,996. 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 Piedmont University students graduate with?
A median $25,000 in federal loans among completers, or 51% of the $49,130 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Piedmont University students graduate?
47% finish their degree — 53% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $82,396 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $175,311 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Piedmont University expensive compared with other Georgia colleges?
Its $20,599 net price runs $4,924 above the $15,675 median across the 100 Georgia colleges we profile, or $19,696 more across the full degree.