Dalton State College is ranked among the top 10% public four-year colleges in the nation for affordability for both low tuition and fees and overall net price, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency Center. This is the fourth consecutive year Dalton State has appeared on the lowest 10% net price list, coming in at No. 50 nationally and second in Georgia.
Dalton State’s annual net price was $5,083 for the 2022-23 financial aid year. Net price includes in-state tuition and fees and other costs associated with being a student, such as books, supplies, room and board, and transportation after all financial aid is applied.
“Access to a high-quality college education should never come at the cost of overwhelming debt,” said John Fuchko, president of Dalton State. “Fewer than 20% of our students graduate with student loan debt. As one of the most affordable public four-year colleges in the nation, we are proud to offer an exceptional education that remains within reach for students and families.”
Tuition and fees were just $3,283 for 2023-24 academic year, placing the college 74th out of more than 700 public four-year institutions nationally and sixth in Georgia. This is the second consecutive year Dalton State has appeared on the lowest tuition and fees list.
“Dalton State’s ability to offer a high-quality education at an exceptional value is made possible through the support of Governor Brian Kemp, the Georgia General Assembly, and the leadership of the University System of Georgia,” Fuchko said. “Their commitment has had a direct and lasting impact on our students—helping more students graduate with little to no debt.”
Dalton State’s affordability is bolstered by the University System of Georgia’s efforts to keep tuition low. For the seventh time in 10 years, the Board kept overall tuition costs flat for Georgia students across most institutions in the university system, when it approved 2025-2026 tuition rates in April. The USG’s strong commitment to keeping college affordable has meant average tuition increases for an undergraduate, in-state Georgia student over the past decade have been less than 1%, well below the rate of inflation.
In 2022, the Board approved a systemwide elimination of a mandatory Special Institutional Fee, which reduced the cost of attendance at Dalton State by $200 each semester. Tennessee residents can also benefit from Dalton State’s affordability, as the college offers in-state tuition and fees to Tennessee residents.
The U.S. Department of Education rankings are based primarily on Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data collections that occurred in 2023-2024. Tuition and Fees information is based on 2023-2024 data, while Net Price is based on data from the 2022-2023 financial aid year.
Dalton State College, a member of the University System of Georgia, serves more than 5,000 students in northwest Georgia and beyond through campuses in Dalton and Ellijay and online programs. The college offers 24 bachelor’s degree programs and an array of associate degree programs.
