Atlanta, GA · Private University
Is Georgia State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$47,384
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,478
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$23,709
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$94,836
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.00x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
53.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,903
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$15,931
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Georgia State University graduates earn $2,384 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Georgia State University ranked by graduate earnings
307 graduates
336 graduates
41 graduates
43 graduates
230 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Georgia State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Georgia State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $90,238) and the lowest (American Sign Language: $25,656) is $64,582/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $90,238 | 3.8x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $79,310 | 3.4x |
| Insurance | $77,407 | 3.3x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $74,253 | 3.1x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $72,421 | 3.0x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $67,673 | 2.9x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $65,600 | 2.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $62,731 | 2.6x |
| Economics | $62,063 | 2.6x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $60,715 | 2.6x |
| Marketing | $59,099 | 2.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $54,801 | 2.3x |
| Mathematics | $54,457 | 2.3x |
| Chemistry | $52,265 | 2.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $51,612 | 2.2x |
| Real Estate | $51,013 | 2.1x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $50,857 | 2.1x |
| Physics | $50,281 | 2.1x |
| Public Policy Analysis | $49,430 | 2.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $48,846 | 2.1x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $47,111 | 2.0x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $47,051 | 2.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,646 | 2.0x |
| Social Work | $44,442 | 1.9x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $44,077 | 1.9x |
| Biology, General | $44,020 | 1.9x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $43,296 | 1.8x |
| Journalism | $43,196 | 1.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $43,085 | 1.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $40,799 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $40,518 | 1.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $40,306 | 1.7x |
| Sociology | $39,594 | 1.7x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $37,613 | 1.6x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $36,668 | 1.6x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $36,324 | 1.5x |
| History | $35,645 | 1.5x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $34,761 | 1.5x |
| Music | $32,680 | 1.4x |
| Anthropology | $29,264 | 1.2x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies(1yr data) | $27,932 | 1.2x |
| American Sign LanguageLowest(1yr data) | $25,656 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Georgia State University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,384 10 years after starting, $2,384 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.7 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.