Now, more than ever, the cost of college is a concern for future college students and their families. It's no secret that the sticker price for attending a private college is typically more than that of a public university. But what happens when you look at the cost of college beyond the sticker price?
Nationally, about two-thirds of full time students attending private colleges receive aid from that college - bringing the cost of attending a private college down to the point that it may even be less expensive than your local public university. According to the Georgia Independent College Association (GICA), private colleges in Georgia graduate students faster (read: in four years) than public universities do (50% versus 32%). At Agnes Scott College, we are committed to providing you with an undergraduate experience that is transformative, purposeful and valuable in more ways than one.
But first, your research likely begins with cost, so we'll start there too...
The literal cost of attending Agnes Scott.
For the 2023-2024 school year, ALL IN, AVERAGE TOTAL COST TO ATTEND AGNES SCOTT (we're talking tuition, fees, housing, dining, transportation, books and estimated expenses) is just under $65,000 annually - significantly less than some other private, liberal arts colleges. In spite of the rising cost of providing the premier educational experiences our prospective students expect and befitting of one of the "Seven Sisters of the South," we have been committed to keeping annual tuition increases as low as possible.
But the "cost of attendance" doesn't exist in a vacuum. More important are some other numbers: how much will you actually pay per year after scholarships & grants, how likely are you receive to aid and, most importantly, how many years of college will you actually be paying for? Compare some of the colleges in Georgia on those factors:
| Institution | Average Cost After All Grants | % Receiving ANY Aid | % Awarded ANY Student Loans | Avg. 4-Year Graduation Rate | Avg. 6 Year Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes Scott College | $27,333 | 100% | 53% | 67.2% | 71% |
| Berry College | $25,876 | 100% | 48% | 61.8% | 68.2% |
| Emory University | $31,077 | 61% | 22% | 82.4% | 90.2% |
| Georgia State University | $21,003 | 97% | 40% | 28.4% | 54.2% |
| Kennesaw State University | $20,573 | 91% | 40% | 15.6% | 45.4% |
| Mercer University | $23,317 | 100% | 52% | 54.6% | 68.6% |
| Oglethorpe University | $26,200 | 100% | 83% | 39.2% | 50.8% |
| Spelman College | $37,405 | 100% | 76% | 67.2% | 75.2% |
Beyond the Dollar Sign: What We Do for You
The cost of a top-notch education should not be a barrier for students. At Agnes Scott, 100% of our students receive merit-based scholarships and/or need-based aid (money that doesn't have to be paid back), reducing the total cost of their college attendance by 60%. We believe in giving you an opportunity to excel at Agnes Scott regardless of your financial situation, and we are committed to making our unique private college education accessible and affordable to qualified students.
| CONSIDER THESE FACTS: | |
|---|---|
100% |
$36,972 |
of Agnes Scott students receive grant aid (federal, state, local, private and more) |
the average amount of scholarships & grants awarded per student |
57% |
$27,333 |
average amount cost of college was reduced by scholarships and grants |
the average cost of an Agnes Scott residential education for one year after all grants |
85% |
67% |
average percent of need met by the full financial aid package for in-state students |
Agnes Scott students who graduate in four years (on average) |
A Journey of Value
Leah Trotman '21 took full advantage of all the opportunities available to her at Agnes Scott, including studying abroad twice, serving as a Peer Advisor, acting as a member of SGA and submitting an academic paper for publication. Leah was named both a Truman and a Marshall Scholar, the last of which made her the first ever recipient from the U.S. Virgin Islands.
There's a reason Agnes Scott is consistently recognized as a top institution for social mobility- and it's because we provide multiple pathways for our students to be successful at Agnes Scott.
The Student Body
- 56.5% of degree-seeking undergraduates identify as Students of Color.
- 26.5% of undergraduate students are first generation college students.
- 71% of first generation college students at Agnes Scott earn a bachelor's degree in six years, with the same percentage as our student body as a whole. Nationally, only 44% of first generation students do the same.
- Over 40% of Agnes Scott students with significant financial need receive the Pell Grant (a value of up to $7,395).
- The average four-year graduation rate of all students is 67%.
Bonus Bookmark: Learn about the college's commitment to JUSTICE, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Institutional Aid
Agnes Scott's merit-based aid opportunities range from $25,000-$28,000, with special scholarship opportunities ranging from $500-$5,000. One hundred percent of first-time, full-time undergraduates receive institutional aid, such as the $25,000 Agnes Scott $100K Promise (renewable for four years, totaling $100,000 of merit aid) or the full tuition, room and board Marvin B. Perry Presidential Scholarship. Remember that 100% of students receive scholarship or grant aid.
State Aid- For Georgia Residents
You qualify as a Georgia resident if your permanent address was in the state of Georgia for the 12 months immediately preceding your enrollment at Agnes Scott. The Georgia HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships are available to qualified in-state students (students can only qualify for one or the other). Consider these facts:
- 57% of in-state Agnes Scott students receive the Georgia HOPE, a scholarship amount of up to $4,992 per year.
- 21% of in-state Agnes Scott students receive the Zell Miller, a scholarship value of up to $5,970 per year.
- The average percent of need met by the full scholarship and financial aid package for in-state students is 85%.
Federal Aid
Federal aid and additional Agnes Scott grants are awarded based on eligible students' submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to Agnes Scott. Pell grants for students with significant financial need are awarded up to $7,395 and Stafford Loans are awarded up to $5,500 for your first year. Even if you think you won't qualify, we encourage you to complete the FAFSA.
*Agnes Scott College data provided by the Office of Institutional Research.
*Page last updated: 11/1/2023
FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP
