At $6,588/yr net price, Georgia Highlands College graduates earn $43,184/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,184/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,588 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $26,352 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,184/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,184/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 20.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,996/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,330/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,456/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,826/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,605/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. | Associate | $57,860 | $11,750 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,856 | $10,000 |
The Risk Factor
20.8% of students at Georgia Highlands 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
Georgia Highlands College keeps your costs low but delivers modest returns. At under $6,600 a year net, you are not taking on much financial risk, and the median debt of $12,000 stays well below what your degree earns back. The real weakness here is not price. It is completion: only about one in five students graduates, and a third leave after their first year.
Ten-year median earnings land around $43,000, which is respectable for a low-cost regional public in northwest Georgia but not high enough to carry a large debt load if your path takes longer than planned. The math works best if you finish on time. Every extra semester eats into the low-cost advantage that makes this school worth it.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so treat the median as your best available signal. That means the biggest financial question is whether you are the kind of person who will actually finish. Given the completion numbers, that is a real risk, not a formality.
For families under $30,000, the net price drops near $5,000, and even in the $30,000 to $48,000 range it stays around $5,300. That is affordable. Above $75,000, your price roughly doubles to over $10,000, which is still cheap for a four-year degree but changes the calculation if you could get the same credits at a nearby two-year school first.
This school fits you if you are cost-conscious, likely to stay local for work, and confident you will graduate. If you are unsure about finishing or want a degree tied to a specific high-paying field, look for a school with better retention and published program-level outcomes. The low price here only pays off if you leave with the diploma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Georgia Highlands College worth the cost for the tuition price?
At $6,588 per year, Georgia Highlands College offers one of the most affordable options in Georgia. However, the 21% graduation rate means most students don't finish their programs, which significantly impacts the value proposition.
What programs at Georgia Highlands College have the best return on investment?
Nursing programs at Georgia Highlands College lead to median earnings of $57,860 after 10 years, making them the clear winners for ROI. Liberal arts and general studies graduates earn significantly less at $25,856, barely above the overall school median of $43,184.
How much student debt do Georgia Highlands College graduates typically have?
Georgia Highlands College graduates have a median debt of $12,000, which is relatively low compared to four-year institutions. The manageable debt load helps offset concerns about the school's below-average earnings outcomes.
Does Georgia Highlands College provide good value compared to other colleges?
Georgia Highlands College provides decent value primarily due to its low cost and minimal debt. The major red flag is the extremely low graduation rate of 21%, meaning four out of five students don't complete their programs.