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Albany State University vs Georgia Career Institute: which has better ROI?

Public, Albany GA · vs · Private for-profit, Conyers GA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Albany State University comes closer — median earnings $40,674 against a $47,592 total, vs $23,686 at Georgia Career Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAlbany State UniversityGeorgia Career Institute
Net price / yr$11,898$14,966
Total net cost$47,592$59,864
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,674$23,686
Median debt$25,024$7,735
Payback
20-year net return-$201,312-$553,344

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Albany State University or Georgia Career Institute?

Albany State University, at $11,898 a year after aid versus $14,966 — a gap of $3,068 a year, or $12,272 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 Georgia Career Institute graduates earn more?

Albany State University graduates report a median $40,674 ten years after entry, $16,988 more than the $23,686 at Georgia Career Institute. 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 Georgia Career Institute?

Georgia Career Institute: its completers carry a median $7,735 in federal loans versus $25,024 at Albany State University, a difference of $17,289. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at Georgia Career Institute, against 31% at Albany State University. 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.

Albany State University vs Georgia Career Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Albany State University or Georgia Career Institute a better value?
Albany State University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Albany State University or Georgia Career Institute?
Albany State University: $11,898/yr net price after aid versus $14,966/yr at Georgia Career Institute — a difference of $3,068 a year, or about $12,272 over four years.
Do Albany State University or Georgia Career Institute graduates earn more?
Albany State University graduates earn a median $40,674 ten years after entry, versus $23,686 at Georgia Career Institute — a $16,988 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.