Georgia Highlands College
A good fit for families who need the lowest possible cost and students who prefer a mid-size campus. graduation rate is below 25% — most students don't finish here; freshman retention is below 65%. a public school with 4,761 students.
About This School
Georgia Highlands College is a public institution located in Rome, Georgia with approximately 4,761 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $6,928 per year. The graduation rate is 21%, and the typical graduate earns $38,100 within 10 years of enrollment.
Georgia Highlands College is a public college in northwest Georgia. It has locations in Floyd County, Cartersville, Marietta, and Dallas and serves the northwest parts of Georgia, as well as parts of east Alabama and southeast Tennessee. A member of the University System of Georgia, the college was originally a community college and has since expanded to also offer bachelor degrees. Between 5,700 and 6,100 students are enrolled at GHC in any given semester, representing 49 different countries. In 2020, the college had a record high number of graduates and an economic impact of over $181 million.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at just $6,588/year after aid and only $6,750 in median debt at graduation, this is one of the most affordable college options you'll find, making it a genuinely solid choice for students watching their budget. However, the 21% graduation rate is a serious concern — only about 1 in 5 students finishes, which suggests many students struggle to complete their degree here, whether due to finances, life circumstances, or academic challenges. If you enroll, go in with a clear plan, take advantage of support services early, and understand that the path to a diploma here requires real intention and follow-through.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 10% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Georgia Highlands College graduates earn most above the national rate in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($89,765 vs $80,813 nationally).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 605 | $44,693 | $44,125 | +$568 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 82 | $89,765 | $80,813 | +$8,952 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | 12 | $68,347 | $61,982 | +$6,365 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing an associate's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (4,761 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Georgia Highlands College
3175 Cedartown Highway, S.E.
Rome, GA 30161-3897
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Georgia Highlands College is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Georgia Highlands College cost?
The average net price at Georgia Highlands College is about $6,928 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Georgia Highlands College?
Georgia Highlands College has a graduation rate of 21%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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