Business/Commerce at Augusta University

Augusta University's business program produces earnings that challenge assumptions about prestigious versus accessible institutions. At $60,541 one year out, graduates earn nearly 50% more than the typical Georgia business graduate and match University of Georgia's outcomes—despite Augusta's 89% admission rate and significantly less competitive student profile. The $18,531 median debt is roughly half what Georgia business students typically carry, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 that's exceptional for the field.

This is particularly striking given the student demographics: with 38% receiving Pell grants and an average SAT of 1113, Augusta serves a more economically diverse, less test-prep-advantaged population than most schools delivering similar earnings. The program essentially delivers flagship results to regional-university students, suggesting strong employer connections or career services in the Augusta area.

The critical caveat is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means one highly successful cohort (or a few high earners) could skew these numbers substantially. If these results hold across multiple years, this program represents remarkable value: low debt, strong immediate earnings, and outcomes that compete with Georgia's top-ranked programs. Parents should verify these numbers with the school directly and ask about recent graduate outcomes before banking on this data, but if consistent, it's one of the state's most efficient paths to business employment.