At $10,102/yr net price, Georgia State University-Perimeter College graduates earn $47,384/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,384/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,102 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $40,408 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,384/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,384/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 22.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,903 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,987/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,446/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,898/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,451/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,247/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 | $63,203 | $21,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $50,439 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $28,259 | $13,476 |
The Risk Factor
22.2% of students at Georgia State University-Perimeter 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 State University-Perimeter College gives you a mixed financial picture that depends almost entirely on what you study. The overall median earnings ten years out sit near $47,000, which is decent for a two-year school, but the 22% graduation rate is the number that should worry you. Fewer than one in four students finish, and if you take on debt and leave without a credential, you carry the cost with none of the payoff.
Nursing is the clear win here. An associate in Registered Nursing pays about $63,000, and even against the roughly $21,000 in debt it carries, the math works fast. Dental support programs land near $50,000 and pay off well too. The Liberal Arts and General Studies track is where the numbers fall apart: around $28,000 in earnings, barely above the roughly $13,000 in debt, and it functions mainly as a transfer path. If you stop at the associate in liberal arts, expect weak returns.
The biggest risk at Perimeter is not tuition, it's completion. Borrowing the roughly $21,000 median for nursing makes sense if you graduate and pass licensure. Borrowing anything for a general studies associate you don't finish is a bad bet.
Net price barely moves by income. Families earning under $30,000 pay about $9,000, and families over $110,000 pay about $15,000. That flat structure means lower-income families see less relief here than at schools with steeper aid tiers, though the top price stays modest overall.
This school fits you if you enroll in nursing or dental support and are committed to finishing. If you want a general associate with no clear transfer plan, look harder at the completion odds before you borrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Georgia State University-Perimeter College worth the cost?
The value depends heavily on your program choice. Nursing graduates earn $63,203 annually with $20,903 in debt, making it worthwhile. Liberal arts majors earn just $28,259, which creates a poor return on investment even at the low $10,102 annual cost.
What is the graduation rate at Georgia State University-Perimeter College and does it affect ROI?
Only 22% of students graduate, which is extremely low and significantly hurts the school's value proposition. Students who don't finish still accumulate debt but miss out on the degree premium that justifies the cost.
Which programs at Georgia State University-Perimeter College have the best job prospects?
Nursing programs offer the strongest returns with graduates earning $63,203 annually. Dental support services also pay well at $50,439. Liberal arts and general studies majors face poor earning potential at $28,259.
How much debt do Georgia State University-Perimeter College graduates typically have?
Median debt is $20,903, which is manageable for nursing graduates but problematic for liberal arts majors earning $28,259. The debt-to-income ratio varies dramatically by program choice.