Business/Commerce at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Abraham Baldwin's business program lands squarely in the middle of Georgia's offerings—earning $38,173 in the first year puts graduates at the 40th percentile statewide, about $3,300 below Georgia's median. While that's roughly 20% less than what University of Georgia business grads earn initially, the debt load here is notably lighter at $24,250, compared to the state median of $26,254. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64 means graduates would need about 8 months of gross income to cover their loans, which is manageable territory.

The challenge is that first-year earnings sit in just the 12th percentile nationally—significantly below the $47,506 national median for business degrees. This gap matters less if your child plans to stay in Georgia's job market, where the program performs closer to average. The 77% admission rate and accessible SAT requirements suggest this serves students seeking an affordable entry point into business careers rather than those chasing top corporate recruiting pipelines.

For families prioritizing lower debt over maximum earning potential, this represents reasonable value—especially for students who might otherwise stretch financially at more selective schools. The modest debt burden provides breathing room after graduation, though parents should understand their child will likely start several thousand below peers from Georgia's flagship programs.