Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Paine College worth it?
Pay $16,670/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $33,338 ten years out — about 2.0× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: D.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Paine College vs Georgia avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Georgia college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Paine College | Georgia avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $16,670 | $19,612 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $33,338 | $47,471 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | — | $21,977 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 14.4% | 42.1% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 95.4% | 70.9% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $109,724 over four years. Most students get $10,761/yr in grants and scholarships.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Paine College grad earns about -$466,480 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Paine College
The average student at Paine College pays $16,670 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $27,431 published sticker price. That is below the GA average net price of $19,612.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $33,338 — below the GA median of $47,471. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Georgia colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Paine College.
Dalton, GA · Public Dalton State College A+ 
Atlanta, GA · Public Atlanta Metropolitan State College A Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Paine College?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $16,670 per year. That's $10,761/yr in financial aid against the $27,431 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $66,680.
How much do Paine College graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Paine College graduates earn a median of $33,338 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 2.0× the annual net cost.
Is Paine College worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Paine College a value grade of D — top 81% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $16,670/yr, earn $33,338/yr ten years out, ROI score of 5.00. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Paine College?
75.6% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 76.5% take federal student loans. On average, students get $10,761 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Paine College?
In-state tuition is $14,596 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $14,596 per year — a difference of $0/yr or $0 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Paine College?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $15,322. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $20,388. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →