Georgia Southwestern State University vs Covenant College: which has better ROI?
Covenant College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $105,060 in 51.2 years versus 121.1 years at Georgia Southwestern State University, on median earnings of $50,412 vs $48,757 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Georgia Southwestern State University | Covenant College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,019 | $26,265 |
| Total net cost | $48,076 | $105,060 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,757 | $50,412 |
| Median debt | $18,851 | $22,500 |
| Payback | 121.1 yrs | 51.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$40,136 | -$64,020 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Georgia Southwestern State University or Covenant College?
Georgia Southwestern State University, at $12,019 a year after aid versus $26,265 — a gap of $14,246 a year, or $56,984 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 Southwestern State University or Covenant College graduates earn more?
Covenant College graduates report a median $50,412 ten years after entry, $1,655 more than the $48,757 at Georgia Southwestern State 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 Southwestern State University or Covenant College?
Georgia Southwestern State University: its completers carry a median $18,851 in federal loans versus $22,500 at Covenant College, a difference of $3,649. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Covenant College, against 41% at Georgia Southwestern 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.