Piedmont University
#3 Best Education Colleges in Georgia- Graduation Rate
- 44% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,130 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $20,599 C-
- 20% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 93% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.6 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Education Colleges in Georgia.
Every $1 spent returns $13.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,040,492.
What The Data Says
-
A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Earnings 20% above the national college median.
-
Graduation of 44% — 23% below the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $13.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Piedmont University Matters
Piedmont University is a private university in Demorest, GA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,117
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 76
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Piedmont 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
Accessible — admits about 93% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1038–1245. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,599 a year after grants and scholarships — 20% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,130 ten years after enrolling — 20% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 91% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.45 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Piedmont University has an acceptance rate of 93%, making it accessible to a wide range of students. With an enrollment of 1,117, it fosters a close-knit community where students can thrive in various academic programs, particularly in health professions, education, and business.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility metrics for Piedmont University are not available. However, the general outcomes for graduates indicate a 10-year earning average of $49,130, which suggests that many students find stable employment after completing their degrees. While the graduation rate is lower at 44%, this reflects the challenges some students face in completing their studies.
The net price of attending Piedmont University is $20,599, and the median debt for graduates stands at $25,000. This financial picture offers a manageable investment for students aiming for careers in growing fields. Those who thrive here often seek a supportive environment and are drawn to programs that align with their interests in health, education, and criminal justice.
Rankings
- #3 Best Education Colleges in Georgia
- #6 Best Nursing Colleges in Georgia
- #7 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia
- #13 Best Communications Colleges in Georgia
- #14 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Georgia
- #16 Best Online Nursing Programs in Georgia
- #16 Best Online Education Programs in Georgia
- #20 Best Online Colleges in Georgia
Can I Get In?
How selective Piedmont 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 Piedmont University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Piedmont University, located in Demorest, Georgia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,129. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 93%
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- SAT Average
- 1129
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 1038–1245
- ACT Range
- 18–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 62%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,502
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.55
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 2,331
- Admitted
- 1,500
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 Piedmont University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Piedmont University is $31,700, 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 $20,599. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,416 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $31,700
- Out-of-State
- $31,700
- Avg Net Price
- $20,599
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 42%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 66%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,416
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,618
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,085
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,622
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Piedmont University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Piedmont University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Piedmont University earn a median of $49,130, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,761
- 8 Years
- $48,441
- 10 Years
- $49,130
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.51x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (96)
- 38%
- 100% (96)
- 38%
- 100% (96)
- 38%
- 100% (96)
- 38%
How Piedmont 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 Piedmont University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Piedmont University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,599/year ($82,396 total). Graduates earn $49,130 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,122,888 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,040,492 (13.6× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 44% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $82,396
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,122,888
- Net Return
- $1,040,492
- ROI Multiple
- 13.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,599
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
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 Piedmont University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Piedmont University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.70%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 7.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $81,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.70%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $110,594
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,491,880
- Investment Income
- $-3,166,144
Top Programs
The fields Piedmont University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 32% $67,783 early-career
- Education 19% $41,883 early-career
- Business & Marketing 17% $47,694 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $47,109 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
- Communications 4%
- Biology & Biomedical 3% $28,100 early-career
- Psychology 3% $39,756 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Piedmont 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
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Piedmont University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Piedmont University, located in Demorest, Georgia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,129. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Piedmont University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Piedmont University is $31,700, 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 $20,599. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,416 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Piedmont University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Piedmont University earn a median of $49,130, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Piedmont University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Piedmont University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.70%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 7.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $81,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Piedmont University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Piedmont University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.45, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Piedmont University.
- Carson-Newman UniversityJefferson City, TN · Close peer50% grad $48,382 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bethel UniversityMishawaka, IN · Close peer55% grad $48,860 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Rochester Christian UniversityRochester Hills, MI · Close peer43% grad $48,707 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wilmington CollegeWilmington, OH · Close peer51% grad $48,491 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Barton CollegeWilson, NC · Close peer48% grad $47,913 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Newberry CollegeNewberry, SC · Close peer45% grad $48,040 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Piedmont University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Piedmont University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.45, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note