Business Administration, Management and Operations at Emory University

Emory's business graduates earn nearly double what typical business majors make in Georgia—$85,682 in year one versus the state median of $44,392. This performance isn't just strong for Georgia; it ranks in the 95th percentile nationally among business programs, outpacing even Georgia Tech's already impressive $73,557 by more than $12,000.

The debt picture requires some perspective. At $19,500, graduates carry less than the Georgia average ($26,538) but more than you'd find at some peer institutions. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 means graduates owe just three months of salary—manageable by any standard. More telling is the trajectory: earnings jump 26% to $107,945 by year four, suggesting these graduates secure positions with real advancement potential, not just impressive starting titles.

For families weighing Emory's 11% acceptance rate and substantial tuition investment, these outcomes justify the selectivity. Your child would be competing with high-achieving peers (average SAT: 1507) for opportunities that clearly deliver. The combination of top-tier starting salaries, strong growth, and reasonable debt makes this one of Georgia's most reliable paths into high-earning business careers. If your student can gain admission, the financial returns strongly support saying yes.