Paine College: 51.5% Acceptance Rate

51.5%Acceptance

$14,596Tuition

338Students

22%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$33,338Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindLiberal ArtsUSCAAData: 2023-24HBCUUnited Methodist

About Paine College

Paine College traces its roots to 1882 as one of Georgia's historically black institutions, founded by the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church with a mission to educate newly freed slaves. The small Augusta campus enrolls just 338 students, creating an intimate learning environment where everyone knows each other. The college maintains its United Methodist heritage while serving a predominantly African American student body in Georgia's second-largest city.

Students pay an average net price of $15,074 after financial aid, with 71% receiving Pell Grants. However, graduates earn a median of just $33,338 ten years after college, raising serious questions about return on investment. The loan repayment rate sits at only 16%, suggesting many alumni struggle with debt. For families earning under $30,000, the net price drops to $15,133, but even this reduced cost may be challenging given typical post-graduation earnings.

The retention numbers tell a concerning story about student success. Only 54% of freshmen return for sophomore year, and just 22% graduate within six years. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio suggests plenty of individual attention, but the Lions compete in nine USCAA sports with only 87 total athletes. Nearly 91% of students come from Georgia, creating a close-knit but geographically limited community.

Academics & Faculty

Paine College offers a traditional liberal arts education rooted in its Methodist heritage and HBCU mission. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio creates intimate classroom settings where professors know students personally. However, academic support challenges show in the outcomes: only 19.56% of students graduate in four years, and 21.70% complete their degrees within six years. The college emphasizes teacher education, business, and social work programs that prepare graduates for community leadership roles. With 338 students total, everyone gets individual attention from faculty. The retention rate of 53.57% suggests some students struggle to persist, despite the close-knit academic environment that defines small HBCU experiences.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Full-Time Faculty: 62.2%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 19.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 21.7%
Retention Rate: 53.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $33,338
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

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Campus Life

Paine College sits in Augusta, Georgia, home to 200,000 people and famous for hosting the Masters Tournament each spring. With only 338 students enrolled, this historically black institution creates an intimate campus where the 11:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name. About 88% of students live on campus in residence halls that house 296 people total, creating a tight-knit community where most social life revolves around campus events and athletic competitions.

Augusta's humid subtropical climate means you'll need shorts and sunscreen most of the year, with mild winters requiring only a light jacket. The Lions compete in nine varsity sports with 87 total athletes, and games draw enthusiastic crowds from the small student body. Founded in 1882 by the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the college maintains strong traditions of service and fellowship. Weekends often center around campus activities, study groups, and trips to nearby Atlanta, which sits 150 miles east. The close-knit environment means everyone knows everyone, creating lifelong friendships but little anonymity.

Setting: City-Midsize
Housing Capacity: 296 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1882

Campus Safety (2023)

3 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Rape	1	1	0	0
Burglary	0	0	1	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 39°–58°F
July Avg: 74°–93°F
Annual Precipitation: 44.8"
Annual Snowfall: 0.8"

Student Demographics

Paine College draws students who value its historic mission as an HBCU founded by the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. The student body of 338 is overwhelmingly from Georgia, reflecting the college's deep roots in the Augusta community and its role serving local families. Most students come from lower-income backgrounds, fitting Paine's tradition of providing educational opportunities to underserved populations. Women slightly outnumber men, which aligns with national trends at many HBCUs. The small size creates an intimate learning environment where students connect closely with faculty and each other.

Men: 42.0%
Women: 58.0%
White: 1.8%
Black: 85.8%
Hispanic: 3.3%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 90.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 71.3%

Location

Paine College sits in Augusta, Georgia, a mid-sized city of about 200,000 people located 150 miles east of Atlanta. Augusta is best known for hosting the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club each April. The city straddles the Georgia-South Carolina border along the Savannah River. With 90.91% of students coming from in-state, most are already familiar with the area's mix of historic neighborhoods and modern developments. Augusta offers internship opportunities in healthcare, manufacturing, and government through facilities like the Medical College of Georgia and Fort Gordon. The surrounding region features rolling hills and pine forests typical of eastern Georgia. Students considering colleges in Georgia may also compare Paine College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Augusta, Georgia 30901-3182

Haygood Memorial Hall and the president's residence, Paine College

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $33,338
Median Earnings (5 years): $37,597
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $21,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 16.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Paine College?

Paine College accepts 51.51% of applicants, making it moderately selective. This historically black United Methodist college draws primarily from Georgia, with 90.91% of students coming from in-state.

How much does Paine College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $15,074 annually at Paine College. With 71.29% of students receiving Pell Grants, the college serves a predominantly low-income population, and families earning under $48,000 often pay less than the sticker price.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Paine College?

Paine College maintains an 11:1 student-faculty ratio with just 338 total students enrolled. This small HBCU environment allows for personalized attention, though the college struggles with retention as only 53.57% of students return for their second year.

What are the graduation rates at Paine College?

Only 21.70% of students graduate within six years at Paine College, with the four-year rate at 19.56%. Despite these challenges, graduates who complete their degrees earn a median of $33,338 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the college's mission to serve first-generation college students.

Where do Paine College students live on campus?

Paine College houses students in facilities with a capacity of 296, nearly matching the total enrollment of 338. The college charges $7,512 for room and board, making it an affordable residential option in Augusta's midsize city setting.

Does Paine College offer athletic scholarships?

Paine College distributes $622,778 in athletic scholarships across 87 student-athletes competing in 9 varsity sports. The Lions compete in the USCAA, providing opportunities for student-athletes at this small Methodist institution founded in 1882.