Business/Commerce at Brewton-Parker College

A debt load of $27,416—estimated from similar Georgia private colleges—sets up a manageable first-year payment scenario for this business degree, with comparable programs in the state producing earnings around $41,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 falls comfortably below the threshold where loan payments typically become burdensome. However, the four-year earnings figure of $43,070 reveals almost no salary growth, suggesting graduates may hit a ceiling quickly or struggle to advance beyond entry-level positions.

The earnings gap tells a sobering story. While peer business programs at University of Georgia or Augusta University launch graduates toward $60,000, and the national median sits at $47,500, outcomes similar to Brewton-Parker's hover near $41,000—roughly $6,000 below the national norm and $19,000 below Georgia's flagship programs. For a small private college serving a predominantly rural area with 46% of students on Pell grants, these modest returns may reflect regional economic constraints as much as program quality.

The practical question: can your child service that debt on $41,000 while building a career? Probably yes, though with little financial cushion. The real concern is whether this investment positions them competitively in Georgia's business job market or limits opportunities compared to peers from stronger programs. If staying local makes this the most accessible option, the numbers work—but understand you're paying private college prices for earnings that match the state's mid-tier outcomes.