Head-to-head · 2026
Dalton State College vs Georgia Highlands College
Compare average net price ($5,012 at Dalton State College; $6,928 at Georgia Highlands College), ROI score (20.08 vs 15.58), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($40,251 vs $43,184), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Dalton State College; Open / not reported at Georgia Highlands College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Dalton State College | Georgia Highlands College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 20.08 ✓ | 15.58 |
| Avg net price | $5,012 ✓ | $6,928 |
| 4-year avg net price | $20,048 ✓ | $27,712 |
| In-state tuition | $3,336 | $3,120 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,656 | $10,080 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $40,251 | $43,184 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 25.3% ✓ | 20.7% |
| Retention rate | 70.9% ✓ | 59.3% |
| Median debt | $12,937 | $12,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 4,553 | 4,761 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Dalton State College | Georgia Highlands College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,962 ✓ | $5,473 |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,788 ✓ | $5,989 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,042 ✓ | $7,827 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,114 ✓ | $10,618 |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,055 ✓ | $12,363 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Dalton State College | Georgia Highlands College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 15% | 67.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 11.3% | 14.5% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 11.5% | 3.2% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5.8% | 2% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 1.2% | 4.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Dalton State College reports the lower average net price by $1,916 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,664 difference over four years ($20,048 vs $27,712).
Georgia Highlands College reports $2,933 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($43,184 vs $40,251). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70.9% at Dalton State College and 59.3% at Georgia Highlands College. Median federal debt among completers is $12,937 vs $12,000, respectively.
5 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Dalton State College vs Georgia Highlands College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Dalton State College is cheaper — average net price $5,012 per year vs $6,928 at Georgia Highlands College. The annual difference of $1,916 adds up to about $7,664 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Georgia Highlands College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $43,184 vs $40,251 at Dalton State College. The gap in the federal data is $2,933. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.