Head-to-head · 2026
Georgia Highlands College vs Valdosta State University
Compare average net price ($6,928 at Georgia Highlands College; $10,945 at Valdosta State University), ROI score (15.58 vs 11.27), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,184 vs $49,361), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Georgia Highlands 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 | Georgia Highlands College | Valdosta State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.58 ✓ | 11.27 |
| Avg net price | $6,928 ✓ | $10,945 |
| 4-year avg net price | $27,712 ✓ | $43,780 |
| In-state tuition | $3,120 | $6,124 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,080 | $17,836 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,184 | $49,361 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 72.3% |
| Graduation rate | 20.7% | 42.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 59.3% | 71.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,000 ✓ | $24,779 |
| Enrollment | 4,761 | 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 | Georgia Highlands College | Valdosta State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,473 ✓ | $9,378 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,989 ✓ | $9,541 |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,827 ✓ | $11,877 |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,618 ✓ | $14,906 |
| Family income $110k+ | $12,363 ✓ | $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 | Georgia Highlands College | Valdosta State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 67.1% | 3.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 14.5% | 4.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.2% | 9.6% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 4.3% | 3.9% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2% | 3.4% |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | 4.9% | 0.5% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 3.2% | 1.5% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 0.9% | 0.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Georgia Highlands College reports the lower average net price by $4,017 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $16,068 difference over four years ($27,712 vs $43,780).
Valdosta State University reports $6,177 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,361 vs $43,184). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 59.3% at Georgia Highlands College and 71.9% at Valdosta State University. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 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
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Frequently asked
Georgia Highlands College vs Valdosta 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 $10,945 at Valdosta State University. The annual difference of $4,017 adds up to about $16,068 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Valdosta State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,361 vs $43,184 at Georgia Highlands College. The gap in the federal data is $6,177. 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.