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Head-to-head comparison

Georgia Southwestern State University vs Covenant College: which has better ROI?

Public, Americus GA · vs · Private nonprofit, Lookout Mountain GA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Americus, GA

Georgia Southwestern State University

Net price / year
$12,019
Earnings, 10 years
$48,757
Payback
121.1 yrs

Option B Lookout Mountain, GA

Covenant College

Net price / year
$26,265
Earnings, 10 years
$50,412
Payback
51.2 yrs
The verdict

Covenant College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $105,060 in 51.2 years versus 121.1 years at Georgia Southwestern State University, on median earnings of $50,412 vs $48,757 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGeorgia Southwestern State UniversityCovenant College
Net price / yr$12,019$26,265
Total net cost$48,076$105,060
Median earnings, 10 yrs$48,757$50,412
Median debt$18,851$22,500
Payback121.1 yrs51.2 yrs
20-year net return-$40,136-$64,020

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Georgia Southwestern State University or Covenant College?

Georgia Southwestern State University, at $12,019 a year after aid versus $26,265 — a gap of $14,246 a year, or $56,984 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Georgia Southwestern State University or Covenant College graduates earn more?

Covenant College graduates report a median $50,412 ten years after entry, $1,655 more than the $48,757 at Georgia Southwestern State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Georgia Southwestern State University or Covenant College?

Georgia Southwestern State University: its completers carry a median $18,851 in federal loans versus $22,500 at Covenant College, a difference of $3,649. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at Covenant College, against 41% at Georgia Southwestern State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Georgia Southwestern State University vs Covenant College: frequently asked questions

Is Georgia Southwestern State University or Covenant College a better value?
Covenant College. It clears its $105,060 net cost in about 51.2 years versus 121.1 years at Georgia Southwestern State University, on median earnings of $50,412 vs $48,757 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Georgia Southwestern State University or Covenant College?
Georgia Southwestern State University: $12,019/yr net price after aid versus $26,265/yr at Covenant College — a difference of $14,246 a year, or about $56,984 over four years.
Do Georgia Southwestern State University or Covenant College graduates earn more?
Covenant College graduates earn a median $50,412 ten years after entry, versus $48,757 at Georgia Southwestern State University — a $1,655 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.