Business Administration, Management and Operations at Clark Atlanta University

Clark Atlanta University's business program shows concerning early earnings but a dramatic turnaround that complicates the picture. Fresh graduates earn just $30,518—landing in the bottom 10% statewide and dramatically below Georgia's $44,392 median for business programs. That first-year figure trails even Morehouse College by $25,000 and sits roughly $15,000 below what you'd expect from a typical Georgia business degree. With $28,604 in debt, your child would owe nearly a full year's salary right out of the gate.

However, the four-year trajectory tells a different story: earnings jump 68% to $51,161, eventually surpassing both state and national medians. This suggests the program's value lies less in immediate job placement and more in longer-term career development—though that means enduring several lean years while debt payments loom. Given that 69% of students receive Pell grants, many families here are already working with tight budgets where a $30,000 starting salary creates real financial stress.

The bottom line: This program eventually delivers competitive earnings, but the rough first few years matter. If your child can weather low initial pay—perhaps through family support or minimal living expenses—the degree ultimately pays off. But families needing immediate returns to justify the investment should look at Georgia Tech ($73,557 starting) or UGA ($56,630) instead, where strong earnings begin day one.