Georgia Southwestern vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, 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 Georgia Southwestern based on total student enrollment (10,262 students vs. 3,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia Southwestern State University is located in Americus, GA (Distant Town setting); Valdosta State University is in Valdosta, GA (Small City setting).
• Georgia Southwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Valdosta State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia Southwestern State University 18:1; Valdosta State University 17:1.

Georgia Southwestern vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia Southwestern 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 Valdosta State University than Georgia Southwestern ($11,144 vs. $11,769).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valdosta State University are 12.2% lower than at Georgia Southwestern State University ($9,530 vs. $10,850).
• Valdosta State University is 17.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia Southwestern (about $904 more per year; $6,124.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at VSU than at Georgia Southwestern State University (about $1,264 more per year; $17,836.00 vs. $16,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valdosta State University than at Georgia Southwestern State University (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valdosta State University students is 12.1% larger than aid received by Georgia Southwestern State University students ($10,206 vs. $9,104).

Georgia Southwestern vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia Southwestern 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 Georgia Southwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Valdosta State University (1010) is 10 points higher than at Georgia Southwestern (1000).
• Incoming Georgia Southwestern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 19) as students at VSU (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southwestern State University 890/1110; Valdosta State University 920/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southwestern State University 16/22; Valdosta State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia Southwestern - Test optional; VSU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia Southwestern Jul 21, 2027; VSU Jun 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Georgia Southwestern (3.17).
• Georgia Southwestern has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than VSU (72.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.5% at Georgia Southwestern vs. 26% at VSU.

Georgia Southwestern vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia Southwestern 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 Georgia Southwestern State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Valdosta State University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Georgia Southwestern graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia Southwestern State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Georgia Southwestern graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More Georgia Southwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (45% 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.