DSC vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

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

Valdosta State University is larger than DSC based on total student enrollment (10,262 students vs. 5,135 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Valdosta State University is in Valdosta, GA (Small City setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Valdosta State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Valdosta State University 17:1.

DSC vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC or VSU? 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 VSU ($5,625 vs. $11,144).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valdosta State University are 8.5% lower than at Dalton State College ($9,530 vs. $10,419).
• Valdosta State University is 83.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $2,788 more per year; $6,124.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.4% higher at VSU than at Dalton State College (about $7,180 more per year; $17,836.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valdosta State University than at Dalton State College (93% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valdosta State University students is 53.4% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($10,206 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC or VSU? 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 VSU and DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsValdosta State University 920/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsValdosta State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; VSU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027; VSU Jun 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at DSC (3.1).

DSC vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and VSU? 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).

• Valdosta State University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Valdosta State University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $10,113 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($14,887 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($153 vs. $258).
• More DSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 41%)

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.