Management Information Systems and Services at Columbus State University

Columbus State's MIS program reports starting salaries around $53,000—about $6,000 below the state median and well behind Georgia's stronger programs. While the 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. This isn't necessarily cause for alarm, but it does mean parents should verify current outcomes directly with the career services office before committing.

The bigger concern is the earnings gap. Graduates here start $25,000 behind University of Georgia MIS grads and even trail Georgia Southern by $6,000. For a technical field where starting salary often sets your career trajectory, that's a meaningful difference. The program does keep debt reasonable at $26,751—slightly above state norms but not excessive—which helps offset the lower earnings somewhat.

If your child is choosing Columbus State for compelling reasons (location, affordability, family circumstances), this program won't derail their career. But if they're comparing MIS programs across Georgia schools and have the grades for admission elsewhere, the data suggests they'd likely see better returns at UGA or Georgia Southern. Ask Columbus State specifically about job placement rates and which companies recruit their MIS graduates.