The cost of college in Georgia — and what it pays back
Across the 100 Georgia institutions we profile, the median net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $15,675/yr, $1,231 below the $16,906 national median. Graduates earn a median $38,712 ten years after entry (below the $43,552 national median), and 25 of the 100 schools clear their full cost on institution-wide earnings. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
$15,675
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$38,712
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
13.4 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
25/100
Schools that pay back
Our math, 2026
How Georgia's 100 colleges split by ROI verdict
Strong5
Solid3
Slow6
Weak86
Verdicts: payback under 5 / 10 / 20 / over 20 years (or none).
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | $12,116 | $102,772 | 0.9 yrs |
| Emory University-Oxford College | $37,920 | $80,137 | 2.4 yrs |
| University of Georgia | $13,936 | $68,726 | 2.7 yrs |
| Emory University | $22,585 | $80,137 | 2.8 yrs |
| Chamberlain University-Georgia | $33,188 | $92,405 | 3 yrs |
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Technical College | -$914 | $30,350 | no payback |
| Coastal Pines Technical College | -$126 | $30,214 | no payback |
| Wiregrass Georgia Technical College | $614 | $30,864 | no payback |
| Southern Regional Technical College | $813 | $31,293 | no payback |
| South Georgia Technical College | $1,164 | $30,364 | no payback |
Frequently asked questions
How much does college cost in Georgia?
The median net price across Georgia colleges is $15,675/yr after aid — below the $16,906 national median. Sticker prices run far higher; net price is what the typical aided student actually pays.
Is college in Georgia cheaper than the national average?
Yes, on median net price: $15,675/yr vs $16,906 nationally — about $1,231/yr less.
What do Georgia college graduates earn?
A median $38,712 ten years after entry (College Scorecard), below the $43,552 national median.
Which Georgia college pays for itself fastest?
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus — about 0.9 years to clear its $48,464 total net cost on earnings above the high-school baseline. The full ranking is on our best-colleges-in-georgia page.