College ROI Report
Updated 2024
Best-value Colleges in Georgia
Got Georgia on your mind? Then consider attending any of these top ranked Georgia colleges in order to earn the most out of your college tuition investment. The list comes from Payscale’s College ROI report which provides the 20 year-net ROI of colleges and universities in the great state of Georgia. The net 20-year ROI is the amount of money a student can expect to earn over a 20-year period after graduating from a particular school. Consult with our report to make sure the college you pick is the best value out there for your needs.
| Rank | School Name | 20 Year Net ROI | Total 4 Year Cost | Graduation Rate | Typical Years to Graduate | Average Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | School Name: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$1,091,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$117,000 | Graduation Rate:93% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$28,100 |
| Rank:2 | School Name:Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$1,006,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$202,000 | Graduation Rate:93% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$28,100 |
| Rank:3 | School Name: Emory University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$605,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$300,000 | Graduation Rate:90% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$29,100 |
| Rank:4 | School Name: Kennesaw State University (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$516,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$109,000 | Graduation Rate:46% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$24,600 |
| Rank:5 | School Name:_50px.jpg) University of Georgia (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$511,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$111,000 | Graduation Rate:88% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$27,100 |
| Rank:6 | School Name: Oglethorpe University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$506,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$239,000 | Graduation Rate:57% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$29,800 |
| Rank:7 | School Name:Kennesaw State University (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$471,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$154,000 | Graduation Rate:46% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$24,600 |
| Rank:8 | School Name:University of Georgia (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$434,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$187,000 | Graduation Rate:88% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$27,100 |
| Rank:9 | School Name: Morehouse College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$408,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$198,000 | Graduation Rate:59% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$33,500 |
| Rank:10 | School Name: Georgia State University (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$365,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$120,000 | Graduation Rate:55% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$23,400 |
Consistently high our list of the best value colleges in the state of Georgia is the Georgia Institute of Technology, located in Atlanta. GA Tech is a public research university established back in 1885. In its early years, the school only offered degrees in mechanical engineering, but soon expanded to include a full curriculum. Choosing GA tech for your undergraduate degree means benefiting from an exceptional academic institution and gaining life experiences from a wide variety of student life traditions. From the nationally recognized “Ramblin Wreck from Georgia Tech” to its array of Greek life organizations, it is no surprise that this college continues to land high on Payscale’s list.
Head north on highway 75 from GA Tech and you will find Southern Polytechnic State University. After World War II, when the state of Georgia shifted from being focused on agriculture to industry, the need for technical colleges resulted in schools like Southern Poly. In addition to enjoying a high ROI, Southern Poly students get to take part in many esteemed traditions at the university, including the annual bathtub races, which had to be adjusted in 2010 due to liability. Today the bathtub races lives on, however there are no motors involved.
If the thought of big classrooms and a bustling campus gives you a headache, consider a private school in Georgia with a high ROI, like Emory University which is also located in Atlanta. But unlike GA tech, Emory’s enrollment is around 17,000, compared to the 25,000 reported to be enrolled at GA Tech. Once an all-male university, Emory became coed in in 1953. Unlike large colleges, Emory boasts a student to faculty ratio of 7:1 and has an average class size of 25 students.
As the last state of the original 13 colonies, the state of Georgia is deeply rooted in higher education. In fact, Georgia is home to one of the oldest universities in the United States, including the University of Georgia. Deciding to attend college in Georgia means you will enjoy a low cost of living with plenty of things to do when you’re off campus. Georgia is home to 48 beautiful state parks and plenty of state wildlife reserves, in addition to its rich history as a state.
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