Valdosta State University
#4 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia- Graduation Rate
- 42% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,361 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $10,945 B
- 36% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 72% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 30.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $30.1 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia.
Every $1 spent returns $30.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,273,720.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 21% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 42% — 26% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $30.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Valdosta State University Matters
Valdosta State University is a public doctoral / professional university in Valdosta, 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
- Public Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 6,622
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Psychology
Why students choose Valdosta 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 72% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 920–1100. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $10,945 a year after grants and scholarships — 36% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,361 ten years after enrolling — 21% above the typical college, against $24,779 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 59% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.24 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Valdosta State University serves 6,622 students with a 72% acceptance rate, making it accessible for many aspiring college students. The net price for attendance is $10,945, which is relatively affordable compared to many public universities.
Graduates from Valdosta State University earn an average of $49,361 ten years after enrollment. The university has a 42% graduation rate, indicating that less than half of students complete their degrees within a traditional timeframe. The Pell Grant rate of 52% suggests that a significant portion of the student body comes from low-income backgrounds, which can impact graduation rates and post-graduation earnings.
Students who thrive at Valdosta State are often those pursuing degrees in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Humanities, or Psychology. The median debt for graduates sits at $24,779, a manageable figure for many. With a supportive environment and a diverse range of programs, Valdosta State University can be a good fit for those ready to engage in their academic journey.
Rankings
- #4 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia
- #6 Best Education Colleges in Georgia
- #6 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Georgia
- #7 Best Online Education Programs in Georgia
- #8 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Georgia
- #9 Best Online Nursing Programs in Georgia
- #10 Best Online Colleges in Georgia
- #10 Best Communications Colleges in Georgia
Can I Get In?
How selective Valdosta 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 Valdosta State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Valdosta, Georgia, Valdosta State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,013. The graduation rate is roughly 42%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- SAT Average
- 1013
- ACT Midpoint
- 20
- SAT Range
- 920–1100
- ACT Range
- 16–22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 68%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,606
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.65
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 4,975
- Admitted
- 4,451
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · unknown
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Valdosta State University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 29% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school many admits weigh against other offers.
- Yield Rate
- 29%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 24%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 7%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 30% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
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 Valdosta State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Valdosta State University is $17,836, 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 $10,945. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,378 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,779 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,124
- Out-of-State
- $17,836
- Avg Net Price
- $10,945
- Median Debt
- $24,779
- Pell Grant Rate
- 52%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 44%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,378
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,541
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,877
- Family Income $110K+
- $15,905
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 Valdosta State 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 Valdosta State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Valdosta State University earn a median of $49,361, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,416
- 8 Years
- $43,211
- 10 Years
- $49,361
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.5x
- Earning > $25K
- 61%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (313)
- 20%
- 100% (313)
- 20%
- 100% (313)
- 20%
- 100% (313)
- 20%
How Valdosta 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 Valdosta State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Valdosta State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $10,945/year ($43,780 total). Graduates earn $49,361 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,317,500 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,273,720 (30.1× your investment). The median debt is $24,779, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 42% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $43,780
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,317,500
- Net Return
- $1,273,720
- ROI Multiple
- 30.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $10,945
- Median Debt
- $24,779
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
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 Valdosta State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Valdosta 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 1.29%, well above the typical college. About 8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.29%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 16.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $113,311
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,468,173
- Investment Income
- $-1,395,905
Top Programs
The fields Valdosta State 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.
- Business & Marketing 22% $46,350 early-career
- Health Professions 15% $69,982 early-career
- Education 12% $41,912 early-career
- Psychology 11% $31,312 early-career
- Humanities 8% $31,312 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $37,114 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $20,941 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $31,312 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 Valdosta 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
- 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
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Valdosta State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Valdosta, Georgia, Valdosta State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,013. The graduation rate is roughly 42%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Valdosta State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Valdosta State University is $17,836, 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 $10,945. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,378 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,779 in federal student loans.
Is Valdosta State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Valdosta State University earn a median of $49,361, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Valdosta State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Valdosta 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 1.29%, well above the typical college. About 8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Valdosta State 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 Valdosta State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.24, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Valdosta State University offer Early Decision?
No. Valdosta State University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (unknown Common Data Set).
Is Valdosta State University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 30% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Valdosta State University (unknown Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Valdosta State University?
About 29% of admitted students choose to enroll at Valdosta State University — its yield rate (unknown Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Valdosta State University.
- Indiana State UniversityTerre Haute, IN · Close peer42% grad $48,387 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Saginaw Valley State UniversityUniversity Center, MI · Close peer51% grad $51,955 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of West GeorgiaCarrollton, GA · Close peer43% grad $49,587 earn 52% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Northern Michigan UniversityMarquette, MI · Close peer52% grad $47,107 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- SUNY Buffalo State UniversityBuffalo, NY · Close peer35% grad $52,334 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Purdue University NorthwestHammond, IN · Close peer43% grad $48,318 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Valdosta State 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 Valdosta State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.24, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note