Head-to-head · 2026
Dalton State College vs Valdosta State University
Compare average net price ($5,012 at Dalton State College; $10,945 at Valdosta State University), ROI score (20.08 vs 11.27), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($40,251 vs $49,361), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Dalton State College; 72.3% at Valdosta State University) 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 | Valdosta State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 20.08 ✓ | 11.27 |
| Avg net price | $5,012 ✓ | $10,945 |
| 4-year avg net price | $20,048 ✓ | $43,780 |
| In-state tuition | $3,336 | $6,124 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,656 | $17,836 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $40,251 | $49,361 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 72.3% |
| Graduation rate | 25.3% | 42.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 70.9% | 71.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,937 ✓ | $24,779 |
| Enrollment | 4,553 | 6,622 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1013 |
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 | Valdosta State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,962 ✓ | $9,378 |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,788 ✓ | $9,541 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,042 ✓ | $11,877 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,114 ✓ | $14,906 |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,055 ✓ | $15,905 |
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 | Valdosta State University |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 12.3% | 11.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 11.5% | 9.6% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 15% | 3.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 11.3% | 4.8% |
| Biology, General | 7.8% | 2.5% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5.8% | 3.4% |
| Psychology, General | 3% | 3.9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.4% | 2.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Dalton State College reports the lower average net price by $5,933 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $23,732 difference over four years ($20,048 vs $43,780).
Valdosta State University reports $9,110 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,361 vs $40,251). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70.9% at Dalton State College and 71.9% at Valdosta State University. Median federal debt among completers is $12,937 vs $24,779, respectively.
8 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Dalton State College vs Valdosta State University, 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 $10,945 at Valdosta State University. The annual difference of $5,933 adds up to about $23,732 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Valdosta State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,361 vs $40,251 at Dalton State College. The gap in the federal data is $9,110. 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.