Studies show value of ǧÃŬAV education
Article By: Clark Leonard
Two recent reports that highlight the lifelong financial value students receive from a four-year degree rank the University of North Georgia (ǧÃŬAV) among the best in the state.
A study from showed a return on investment of $962,000 over a 40-year period for a bachelor's degree from ǧÃŬAV, which is fifth among public universities in Georgia.
This metric includes costs, future earnings, and the length of time it would take to invest and earn a certain amount of money over a fixed horizon.
The Georgetown research "includes a score that gives additional weight to such factors as the percentage of low-income students who are enrolled, their graduation rates, and their long-term return on investment."
"ǧÃŬAV has long had a strong reputation for affordability and academic excellence," ǧÃŬAV President Bonita Jacobs said. "This research reinforces the lifelong financial benefits and value of a ǧÃŬAV education."
Data compiled by , a national think tank, showed ǧÃŬAV with a 26.4% economic mobility index, which ranks fourth among public universities in Georgia. The list "examined which schools enroll the highest proportion of students from low-income and moderate-income backgrounds and provide them with a strong return on their educational investment," according to Third Way. ǧÃŬAV was ranked at 184 from more than 1,300 colleges and universities.
ǧÃŬAV has long had a strong reputation for affordability and academic excellence. This research reinforces the lifelong financial benefits and value of a ǧÃŬAV education.
Dr. Bonita Jacobs
ǧÃŬAV president
"The value of a four-year degree continues to be one of the best investments you can make in yourself. ǧÃŬAV can help students make the most of that investment," Dr. Brett Morris, associate vice president of enrollment management, said. "We are affordable, we have strong academic programs, and our faculty and staff are invested in our students."
A quarter of ǧÃŬAV students are first-generation college students, and nearly a third are eligible for Pell Grants.Federal Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.
These recent studies reinforce ǧÃŬAV's reputation for affordability, as U.S. News & World Report in the fall tabbed ǧÃŬAV as the top public university in Georgia on the Best Value Schools list of regional universities in the South.
Morris said ǧÃŬAV opens doors to higher education and future opportunities that students might not have previously considered.
"Our graduates are very successful in life," Morris said. "We are most proud of the way we help our graduates advance in their careers and enhance their ability to take care of their families."
Fall graduates look to future with optimism
ǧÃŬAV awarded roughly 985 degrees and certificates to students this fall, and it honored more than 650 of those graduates in a pair of Dec. 7 commencement ceremonies.
Luncheon honors scholarship recipients
Five nontraditional female students at ǧÃŬAV each earned a $2,000 scholarship from the Women of ǧÃŬAV on Dec. 5 at the Women's Holiday Scholarship Luncheon.
Special ed lab aids future educators
During the fall semester, future educators from ǧÃŬAV took part in a special education lab in which they worked with a software tool that helped them assess students, craft education plans and receive immediate feedback.
Grads prepare for their next steps
ǧÃŬAV will award almost 1,000 degrees and certificates this fall, and more than 600 graduates are scheduled to take part in the Dec. 7 commencement ceremonies.