Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Georgia State University-Perimeter College vs Emory University: which has better ROI?

Public, Atlanta GA · vs · Private nonprofit, Atlanta GA

The verdict

Emory University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $90,340 in 2.8 years versus not at all at Georgia State University-Perimeter College, on median earnings of $80,137 vs $47,384 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureGeorgia State University-Perimeter CollegeEmory University
Net price / yr$11,453$22,585
Total net cost$22,906$90,340
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,384$80,137
Median debt$20,903$18,250
Payback2.8 yrs
20-year net return-$42,426$545,200

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

Which is cheaper, Georgia State University-Perimeter College or Emory University?

Georgia State University-Perimeter College, at $11,453 a year after aid versus $22,585 — a gap of $11,132 a year, or $67,434 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 State University-Perimeter College or Emory University graduates earn more?

Emory University graduates report a median $80,137 ten years after entry, $32,753 more than the $47,384 at Georgia State University-Perimeter 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, Georgia State University-Perimeter College or Emory University?

Emory University: its completers carry a median $18,250 in federal loans versus $20,903 at Georgia State University-Perimeter College, a difference of $2,653. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

91% of students finish at Emory University, against 22% at Georgia State University-Perimeter 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.

Georgia State University-Perimeter College vs Emory University: frequently asked questions

Is Georgia State University-Perimeter College or Emory University a better value?
Emory University. It clears its $90,340 net cost in about 2.8 years versus no clear payback at Georgia State University-Perimeter College, on median earnings of $80,137 vs $47,384 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Georgia State University-Perimeter College or Emory University?
Georgia State University-Perimeter College: $11,453/yr net price after aid versus $22,585/yr at Emory University — a difference of $11,132 a year, or about $67,434 over four years.
Do Georgia State University-Perimeter College or Emory University graduates earn more?
Emory University graduates earn a median $80,137 ten years after entry, versus $47,384 at Georgia State University-Perimeter College — a $32,753 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.