Marketing at Columbus State University

Columbus State's marketing program produces graduates earning nearly $10,000 less than the typical Georgia marketing graduate—and $18,000 less than peers at UGA. Ranking in just the 25th percentile statewide means three-quarters of Georgia marketing programs deliver better outcomes. Nationally, it sits in the bottom 5% for earnings, with first-year graduates making $34,223 against a national median of nearly $45,000.

The debt load appears manageable at $28,500, but that's misleading context. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83 suggests graduates could theoretically pay this off within a year, that math only works if they're willing to dedicate most of their take-home pay to loans. More troubling: even after four years in the workforce, graduates average just $37,769—still $7,000 below what the typical marketing graduate makes in their first year nationally. The 10% earnings growth barely keeps pace with inflation.

For families considering this program, the comparison to other accessible Georgia options is stark. Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State—both large public universities with similar accessibility—produce marketing graduates earning $9,000-10,000 more annually. Unless staying in Columbus for personal or financial reasons makes other schools truly unworkable, this program represents a significant compromise on earning potential that compounds over an entire career.