Albany State University vs Dalton State College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Dalton State College comes closer — median earnings $40,251 against a $20,048 total, vs $40,674 at Albany State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Albany State University | Dalton State College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,898 | $5,012 |
| Total net cost | $47,592 | $20,048 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,674 | $40,251 |
| Median debt | $25,024 | $12,937 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$201,312 | -$182,228 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Albany State University or Dalton State College?
Dalton State College, at $5,012 a year after aid versus $11,898 — a gap of $6,886 a year, or $27,544 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Albany State University or Dalton State College graduates earn more?
Albany State University graduates report a median $40,674 ten years after entry, $423 more than the $40,251 at Dalton State College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Albany State University or Dalton State College?
Dalton State College: its completers carry a median $12,937 in federal loans versus $25,024 at Albany State University, a difference of $12,087. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
31% of students finish at Albany State University, against 25% at Dalton State College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.