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Georgia Southern University vs Georgia College & State University: which has better ROI?

Public, Statesboro GA · vs · Public, Milledgeville GA

The verdict

Georgia College & State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,744 in 8.5 years versus 12.5 years at Georgia Southern University, on median earnings of $58,140 vs $53,236 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGeorgia Southern UniversityGeorgia College & State University
Net price / yr$15,267$20,686
Total net cost$61,068$82,744
Median earnings, 10 yrs$53,236$58,140
Median debt$23,250$22,250
Payback12.5 yrs8.5 yrs
20-year net return$36,452$112,856

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

Which is cheaper, Georgia Southern University or Georgia College & State University?

Georgia Southern University, at $15,267 a year after aid versus $20,686 — a gap of $5,419 a year, or $21,676 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Georgia Southern University or Georgia College & State University graduates earn more?

Georgia College & State University graduates report a median $58,140 ten years after entry, $4,904 more than the $53,236 at Georgia Southern University. 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, Georgia Southern University or Georgia College & State University?

Georgia College & State University: its completers carry a median $22,250 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Georgia Southern University, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at Georgia College & State University, against 55% at Georgia Southern 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.

Georgia Southern University vs Georgia College & State University: frequently asked questions

Is Georgia Southern University or Georgia College & State University a better value?
Georgia College & State University. It clears its $82,744 net cost in about 8.5 years versus 12.5 years at Georgia Southern University, on median earnings of $58,140 vs $53,236 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Georgia Southern University or Georgia College & State University?
Georgia Southern University: $15,267/yr net price after aid versus $20,686/yr at Georgia College & State University — a difference of $5,419 a year, or about $21,676 over four years.
Do Georgia Southern University or Georgia College & State University graduates earn more?
Georgia College & State University graduates earn a median $58,140 ten years after entry, versus $53,236 at Georgia Southern University — a $4,904 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.