At $4,694/yr net price, Dalton State College graduates earn $40,251/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,251/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,694 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $18,776 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,251/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,251/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 29.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,937 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,109/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,616/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,260/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,079/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,924/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. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $14,699 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $49,436 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $49,136 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $48,432 | |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $40,275 | $18,100 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $36,668 | |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $36,437 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $35,653 | $16,959 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $35,416 |
The Risk Factor
29.6% of students at Dalton State College 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
Dalton State College is one of the cheapest four-year degrees you can get in Georgia, and that low cost carries the whole financial case. You pay under $5,000 a year, borrow around $13,000 total, and walk away with debt that any of the top programs can service. The risk here isn't price. It's finishing.
Nursing is the clear winner. It pays roughly $63,000 ten years out, nearly double what social work or marketing graduates earn, and the debt load barely differs. If you can get into and complete the nursing program, this is one of the best returns in the state given what you pay. Management Information Systems is the next-best bet in the low $40,000s. Accounting lands in the same range but comes with the highest debt of any listed program at around $18,000, so it earns less per dollar borrowed than nursing does.
Social work and marketing sit at the bottom near $36,000. Those degrees still clear the cost, but they leave you close to the school's overall median earnings, which is where the payoff gets thin.
The real hazard is the 29.6% graduation rate and a retention rate under 60%. Four in ten of you won't come back for a second year, and most won't graduate at all. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome here, and the odds of that happening are high. The low price only pays off if you cross the finish line.
This school fits you if you're paying your own way, live in the Dalton area, and are targeting nursing or MIS. Families under $48,000 pay around $3,000 to $3,600 a year, which is close to free. Above $110,000 you pay near $10,000 a year, still cheap by any standard. The financial math works. Your discipline to finish is the variable that decides it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dalton State College worth the cost?
Dalton State College offers good value with a low net price of $4,694 per year and modest debt levels around $13,000. However, the 30% graduation rate is concerning and may impact your ability to complete your degree.
What programs at Dalton State College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Dalton State College provide the strongest returns, with graduates earning around $63,000 annually. Allied health programs also perform well with starting salaries near $49,000, making them solid choices for career prospects.
How much debt do Dalton State College graduates typically have?
Dalton State College graduates who borrow have median debt of about $13,000, which is relatively manageable. The low cost of attendance helps keep borrowing minimal compared to other colleges.
Do Dalton State College graduates earn enough to justify the investment?
Overall graduate earnings of $40,251 ten years after enrollment are modest but reasonable given the low cost. Nursing and health program graduates earn significantly more, while other majors may struggle to reach strong financial returns.