DSC vs. Paine College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA with Paine College in Augusta, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dalton State College is larger than Paine College based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Paine College is in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Paine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Paine College 11:1.

DSC vs. Paine College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC or Paine College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dalton State College than Paine College ($5,625 vs. $15,935).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 27.9% lower than at Dalton State College ($7,512 vs. $10,419).
• Paine College is 337.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $11,260 more per year; $14,596.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37% higher at Paine College than at Dalton State College (about $3,940 more per year; $14,596.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Paine College than at Dalton State College (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Paine College students is 82.5% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($12,145 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. Paine College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC or Paine College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Paine College and DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPaine College 776/976.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPaine College 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; Paine College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027; Paine College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DSC students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at Paine College (2.81).

DSC vs. Paine College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and Paine College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Paine College's six-year graduation rate (27%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Dalton State College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,500 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $20,863 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($14,887 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $216 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($153 vs. $369).
• More DSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 15%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.