At $14,251/yr net price, Albany State University graduates earn $40,674/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,674/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,251 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $57,004 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,674/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,674/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 22.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,024 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,993/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,402/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,225/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,897/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,054/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $105,306 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $63,749 | $23,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $59,873 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $56,867 | $17,305 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $47,729 | $35,569 |
| Social Work. | Master | $43,128 | $31,155 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $41,565 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $39,369 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $38,289 | $35,875 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $37,593 |
The Risk Factor
22.8% of students at Albany State University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Albany State University runs a mixed financial picture, and your major choice decides everything. The typical graduate earns about $40,700 ten years out, which barely clears what a high school graduate makes in much of Georgia. The bigger problem sits with the graduation rate: fewer than one in four students finishes. If you take on the median $25,000 in debt and leave without a degree, you carry the loan without the earnings to pay it.
Nursing is the clear win here. At roughly $63,700, nursing graduates earn about $22,000 more per year than marketing graduates, the next-best program, and they do it while borrowing less than most other majors. Southwest Georgia hospitals and clinics keep hiring nurses, so that number reflects a real local job market, not a fluke.
The other programs pay off weakly. Social work graduates leave with the most debt on this list, near $29,700, and earn under $33,000. Teacher education carries $27,000 in debt against $34,500 in pay. Those are jobs the region needs, but the math leaves little room if you finance the whole degree with loans.
Net price climbs steeply with income. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay close to $19,000 a year, roughly $6,000 more than a family under $30,000. Lower-income families get a real discount here, and the price stays under $14,000 for the two lowest tiers.
Come here for nursing, and the return works. Come for social work or teaching, keep your borrowing low and know the salary ceiling going in. Whatever you pick, the low completion rate is your main risk. Have a plan to actually finish before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albany State University worth the money?
Albany State University's return on investment is mixed, with graduates earning $40,674 ten years after enrollment against a net price of $14,251 annually. The low 23% graduation rate creates significant risk that students may accumulate debt without completing their degree.
What are the best paying majors at Albany State University?
Nursing programs at Albany State University offer the strongest financial returns, with some graduates earning over $100,000 annually. Education-related majors typically lead to lower earnings around $47,000-$60,000 per year.
How much debt do Albany State University graduates have?
Albany State University graduates carry a median debt of $25,024, which is manageable relative to the school's low net price. However, the poor graduation rate means many students may take on debt without earning a degree.
Does Albany State University have good job placement after graduation?
Albany State University's 23% graduation rate suggests significant challenges in student success and degree completion. While nursing graduates can expect strong employment prospects, the overall low completion rate raises concerns about the school's ability to prepare students for career success.