University of Georgia vs Georgia Southern University: which has better ROI?
University of Georgia has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $55,744 in 2.7 years versus 12.5 years at Georgia Southern University, on median earnings of $68,726 vs $53,236 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Georgia | Georgia Southern University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,936 | $15,267 |
| Total net cost | $55,744 | $61,068 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,726 | $53,236 |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $23,250 |
| Payback | 2.7 yrs | 12.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $351,576 | $36,452 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Georgia or Georgia Southern University?
University of Georgia, at $13,936 a year after aid versus $15,267 — a gap of $1,331 a year, or $5,324 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Georgia or Georgia Southern University graduates earn more?
University of Georgia graduates report a median $68,726 ten years after entry, $15,490 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, University of Georgia or Georgia Southern University?
University of Georgia: its completers carry a median $18,500 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Georgia Southern University, a difference of $4,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
90% of students finish at University of Georgia, 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.