Fort Valley State University
- Graduation Rate
- 43% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $36,666 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $10,338 B
- 40% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 66% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 24.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $24.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $24.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $971,256.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 43% — 24% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 2.83% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $24.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Fort Valley State University Matters
Fort Valley State University is a public university in Fort Valley, GA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,684
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Psychology, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Fort Valley State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 66% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 930–1070. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $10,338 a year after grants and scholarships — 40% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $36,666 ten years after enrolling — 10% below the typical college, against $31,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 13% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.91 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Nearly three-quarters of students at Fort Valley State University receive Pell Grants, highlighting the school's commitment to access for low-income students. With an enrollment of 2,684, this public institution offers a supportive environment for those seeking to advance their education and career prospects.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for Fort Valley State, but the graduation rate stands at 43%, indicating that challenges persist for many students. Understanding the factors that contribute to these outcomes is crucial for prospective students. The school’s focus on key programs like Psychology and Business & Marketing might appeal to those looking for practical skills and knowledge to enhance their employability.
The net price for attending Fort Valley State is $10,338, and graduates earn an average of $36,666 after ten years. However, the median debt of $31,000 can be a concern for some. Students who thrive here often seek a supportive community and are dedicated to overcoming obstacles. The diverse academic offerings cater to various interests, making it a viable option for many.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Fort Valley State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Fort Valley State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Fort Valley, Georgia, Fort Valley State University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 66% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 994. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 66%
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- SAT Average
- 994
- ACT Midpoint
- 18
- SAT Range
- 930–1070
- ACT Range
- 19–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 69%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,426
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.15
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
- Applicants
- 6,247
- Admitted
- 2,692
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Fort Valley State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Fort Valley State University is $16,932, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,338. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,017 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $31,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,526
- Out-of-State
- $16,932
- Avg Net Price
- $10,338
- Median Debt
- $31,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 73%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 68%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,017
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,021
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,502
- Family Income $110K+
- $16,914
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Fort Valley State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Fort Valley State University report median earnings of $36,666, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $28,649
- 8 Years
- $32,953
- 10 Years
- $36,666
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.85x
- Earning > $25K
- 41%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (39)
- 18%
- 100% (39)
- 18%
- 100% (39)
- 18%
- 100% (39)
- 18%
How Fort Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Fort Valley State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Fort Valley State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $10,338/year ($41,352 total). Graduates earn $36,666 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,012,608 in total earnings — a net gain of $971,256 (24.5× your investment). The median debt is $31,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 43% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $41,352
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,012,608
- Net Return
- $971,256
- ROI Multiple
- 24.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $10,338
- Median Debt
- $31,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Fort Valley State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Fort Valley State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.83%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 23.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $45,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.83%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 23.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $45,100
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $780,807
- Investment Income
- $-12,671
Top Programs
The fields Fort Valley State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Psychology 14%
- Business & Marketing 12%
- Biology & Biomedical 10%
- Criminal Justice 9%
- Education 6%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Communications 4%
- Humanities 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Fort Valley State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Fort Valley State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Fort Valley, Georgia, Fort Valley State University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 66% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 994. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Fort Valley State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Fort Valley State University is $16,932, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,338. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,017 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $31,000 in federal student loans.
Is Fort Valley State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Fort Valley State University report median earnings of $36,666, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Fort Valley State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Fort Valley State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.83%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 23.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $45,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Fort Valley State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Fort Valley State University. Its economic connectedness score is 0.91, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.06), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Fort Valley State University.
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico-MetroSan Juan, PR · Close peer35% grad $30,821 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Puerto Rico-AreciboArecibo, PR · Close peer51% grad $30,512 earn 59% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Southern Arkansas University Main CampusMagnolia, AR · Close peer48% grad $42,386 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Indiana University-EastRichmond, IN · Close peer42% grad $47,156 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Alcorn State UniversityAlcorn State, MS · Close peer51% grad $36,421 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Bethune-Cookman UniversityDaytona Beach, FL · Close peer29% grad $38,518 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Fort Valley State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Fort Valley State University. Its economic connectedness score is 0.91, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.06), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note