Head-to-head comparison
University of West Georgia vs Covenant College: which has better ROI?
Option A Carrollton, GA
University of West Georgia
- Net price / year
- $12,786
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,587
- Payback
- 41.7 yrs
Option B Lookout Mountain, GA
Covenant College
- Net price / year
- $26,265
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,412
- Payback
- 51.2 yrs
University of West Georgia has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $51,144 in 41.7 years versus 51.2 years at Covenant College, on median earnings of $49,587 vs $50,412 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of West Georgia | Covenant College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,786 | $26,265 |
| Total net cost | $51,144 | $105,060 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,587 | $50,412 |
| Median debt | $23,970 | $22,500 |
| Payback | 41.7 yrs | 51.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$26,604 | -$64,020 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of West Georgia or Covenant College?
University of West Georgia, at $12,786 a year after aid versus $26,265 — a gap of $13,479 a year, or $53,916 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 University of West Georgia or Covenant College graduates earn more?
Covenant College graduates report a median $50,412 ten years after entry, $825 more than the $49,587 at University of West Georgia. 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, University of West Georgia or Covenant College?
Covenant College: its completers carry a median $22,500 in federal loans versus $23,970 at University of West Georgia, a difference of $1,470. 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 43% at University of West Georgia. 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.