At $15,074/yr net price, Paine College graduates earn $33,338/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,074 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $60,296 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $33,338/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-662/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 21.7% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,133/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,480/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,287/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,051/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journalism. | Bachelor | $26,353 | |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $25,967 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $20,824 |
The Risk Factor
21.7% of students at Paine 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
Paine College's financial picture is weak. Ten years after enrolling, your median earnings land around $33,000, which is close to what many jobs pay without a degree at all. Pair that with a 21.70% graduation rate, and the odds are that you leave Augusta with debt and no diploma.
The retention number tells the same story: nearly half of first-year students don't come back for year two. Dropping out is the single biggest financial risk here. You still owe for the semesters you attended, but you get none of the earnings bump a completed degree is supposed to buy.
Program earnings don't rescue the math. The three bachelor's fields with reported data , journalism, criminology, and sociology , all pay under $27,000 a year, with sociology graduates near $21,000. None of these clears what your total net price adds up to over four years, and Augusta's regional job market doesn't push these salaries higher.
The net price tiers hold a trap. If your family earns $48,000 to $75,000, you pay about $20,000 a year , roughly double what a family under $48,000 pays. That middle-income bracket carries the heaviest load here, and it's the group that should scrutinize this choice hardest.
Paine could make sense for you if you qualify for the lowest price tier, are committed to finishing, and value what this specific school offers beyond a paycheck. If you're borrowing heavily, or you land in that $48,000-$75,000 income band, look at cheaper public options in Georgia first. The completion odds and the earnings ceiling here don't justify the price for most families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paine College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Paine College graduates earn a median of $33,338 ten years after graduation, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $15,074 annually and a graduation rate of only 21.7%, the return on investment is challenging compared to other institutions.
What are the best paying majors at Paine College?
Journalism leads at $26,353 median earnings, followed by Criminology at $25,967. However, these earnings are still relatively low compared to national averages for these fields at other institutions.
How much student debt do Paine College graduates typically have?
While specific debt data varies, the low graduation rate of 21.7% means many students take on debt without completing their degree. Those who do graduate face earnings that may make loan repayment difficult given the median income of $33,338.
Should I choose Paine College if I get significant financial aid?
Financial aid can help offset the $15,074 net price, but consider the 21.7% graduation rate carefully. The low completion rate suggests many students struggle to finish, which eliminates any potential return on investment regardless of aid received.