Business Administration, Management and Operations at Clayton State University

Clayton State's business program charges students substantially more debt than most comparable programs while delivering essentially flat earnings over the first four years. At $37,250, graduates carry 43% more debt than typical Georgia business majors and 40% more than the national median—placing this program in the 95th percentile nationally for debt burden. That's a significant financial load for earnings that hover around $46,000.

The program does perform slightly above Georgia's median ($44,392) and ranks in the 60th percentile statewide, but context matters: over half of Clayton State students receive Pell grants, meaning many graduates come from families with limited resources to help manage this debt level. A 0.80 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it represents a meaningful monthly payment burden for entry-level earnings that don't grow. Georgia Tech's business graduates earn 58% more, while UGA grads earn 22% more—both with comparable or lower debt loads.

For families seeking affordable business education in Georgia, this presents a challenging tradeoff. The degree does lead to middle-income employment, but the debt level means graduates will likely spend years managing loan payments that could otherwise go toward building wealth. Students with strong profiles might explore state universities with better earnings outcomes; those committed to Clayton State should minimize borrowing wherever possible.