Head-to-head · 2026
Georgia Highlands College vs Georgia Southwestern State University
Compare average net price ($6,928 at Georgia Highlands College; $12,019 at Georgia Southwestern State University), ROI score (15.58 vs 10.14), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,184 vs $48,757), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Georgia Highlands College; 75.2% at Georgia Southwestern 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 | Georgia Highlands College | Georgia Southwestern State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.58 ✓ | 10.14 |
| Avg net price | $6,928 ✓ | $12,019 |
| 4-year avg net price | $27,712 ✓ | $48,076 |
| In-state tuition | $3,120 | $5,220 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,080 | $16,572 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,184 | $48,757 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 75.2% |
| Graduation rate | 20.7% | 40.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 59.3% ✓ | 57.6% |
| Median debt | $12,000 ✓ | $18,851 |
| Enrollment | 4,761 | 2,424 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 978 |
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 | Georgia Highlands College | Georgia Southwestern State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,473 ✓ | $10,477 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,989 ✓ | $10,935 |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,827 ✓ | $13,508 |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,618 ✓ | $16,373 |
| Family income $110k+ | $12,363 ✓ | $15,415 |
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 | Georgia Highlands College | Georgia Southwestern State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 67.1% | 0.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 14.5% | 11.6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.2% | 12.7% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 3.2% | 1.6% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2% | 1.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Georgia Highlands College reports the lower average net price by $5,091 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $20,364 difference over four years ($27,712 vs $48,076).
Georgia Southwestern State University reports $5,573 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($48,757 vs $43,184). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 59.3% at Georgia Highlands College and 57.6% at Georgia Southwestern State University. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $18,851, 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
Georgia Highlands College vs Georgia Southwestern State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Georgia Highlands College is cheaper — average net price $6,928 per year vs $12,019 at Georgia Southwestern State University. The annual difference of $5,091 adds up to about $20,364 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Georgia Southwestern State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $48,757 vs $43,184 at Georgia Highlands College. The gap in the federal data is $5,573. 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.