Dalton State recognized among the nation's best for affordability and student success
Dalton, GA (09/02/2026) — Dalton State College earned national and regional recognition in Washington Monthly's 2026 College Guide and Rankings, ranking No. 8 nationally and No. 1 in the Southeast among America's Best Hispanic-Serving Colleges. The college also ranked No. 33 overall and No. 2 for affordability out of 283 Southeastern institutions on the publication's Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and tax) Dollars list.
"Student success is measured not only by earning a degree, but by the opportunities that degree creates for lifelong economic mobility," Dalton State President John Fuchko said. "This recognition reflects our commitment to ensuring that every student has access to an affordable, high-quality education and the support needed to graduate and thrive. As Georgia's first Hispanic-Serving Institution and Georgia's first college to earn the Seal of Excelencia, we are intentional about creating an environment where every student can thrive while we challenge them to learn, to grow, and to develop the critical skills they need to be successful."
The America's Best Hispanic-Serving Colleges ranking uses data from Excelencia in Education, including student success data, whether an institution has earned the Seal of Excelencia, and measures of accessibility. Accessibility metrics include net price, defined as the total amount a student pays for tuition and fees after aid is applied, as well as the percentage of students who receive Pell Grants.
Dalton State's annual net price was $5,625 for the 2023-2024 financial aid year - the most recent year comprehensive data was available - and 50% of students received Pell grants, a form of need-based financial aid.
In 2025, Dalton State became the first college in Georgia to earn the Seal of Excelencia. The seal is a rigorous certification, not an award or ranking, that recognizes institutions demonstrating sustained commitment to improving student outcomes. The college climbed from its No. 16 position in 2025 to No. 8 in 2026, reflecting continued progress in student success outcomes and the institution's achievement of the Seal of Excelencia certification.
Dalton State became Georgia's first Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) in 2018. HSI is a federal designation that applies to institutions where at least 25% of the student population identifies as Hispanic. Dalton State's enrollment reflects the demographics of northwest Georgia pulling from 39 countries and 33 states.
The Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars: Southeast ranking evaluates accessibility for students from lower-income families, overall affordability, student outcomes and public service. Student outcomes include student loan debt, graduation rates, post-graduation earnings and the number of students who go on to pursue doctoral degrees.
"From enrollment to graduation, our focus is on helping students overcome barriers, stay engaged and achieve their goals. When students can earn a degree at an affordable cost and graduate prepared for meaningful careers, the impact extends far beyond campus to families, communities and future generations," Jami Hall, vice president for student enrollment and success, said. "These rankings reflect the success of our students and the intentional support systems that help them persist to graduation."
Dalton State remains one of the nation's most affordable colleges and has ranked among the top 10% nationally for affordability for five consecutive years, according to the U.S. Department of Education. With tuition and fees totaling less than $2,100 per semester, more than 75% of Dalton State's 2025-26 graduates completed their degrees without student loan debt.
To learn more about programs at Dalton State, visit www.daltonstate.edu.
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Alex Orfinger, assistant professor of Biology at Dalton State, mentors a student performing undergraduate research in one of Dalton State College's biology labs.
Dalton State College
Meagan Standridge (706) 712-8245, mstandridge@daltonstate.eduShare this Story
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