Median Earnings (1yr)
$50,056
66th percentile
60th percentile in Georgia
Median Debt
$23,611
9% below national median

Analysis

Georgia College delivers solid business outcomes without excessive debt. Starting at $50,056 and climbing to over $61,000 by year four, graduates earn more than typical business majors both nationally and within Georgia—a meaningful advantage since most Georgia business programs produce lower starting salaries. The 60th percentile ranking among Georgia schools places this program above competitive state options like Georgia Southern and Clayton State, though it trails flagship universities and Emory by a wider margin.

The debt picture works in students' favor here. At $23,611, graduates carry notably less than the state median of $26,538, creating a manageable 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio. This combination—above-average earnings with below-average debt—gives graduates financial breathing room that many business programs don't provide. The 23% earnings growth over four years suggests the degree opens doors to advancement rather than dead-end positions.

For Georgia families seeking in-state business education, this represents a practical choice. You're not paying for Emory prestige, but you're also not gambling on a program that leaves graduates struggling to repay loans on $35,000 salaries. The accessible admissions (88% acceptance rate) paired with middle-tier outcomes creates a reasonable path for students who want business credentials without either elite credentials or financial strain.

Where Georgia College & State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business administration, management and operations bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Georgia College & State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Georgia College & State University$50,056$61,322+23%
Emory University$85,682$107,945+26%
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus$73,557$78,313+6%
University of Georgia$56,630$63,445+12%
Morehouse College$55,567$62,476+12%

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Business Administration, Management and Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (54 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgeville$8,998$50,056$61,322$23,6110.47
Emory UniversityAtlanta$60,774$85,682$107,945$19,5000.23
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta$11,764$73,557$78,313$23,0000.31
University of GeorgiaAthens$11,180$56,630$63,445$19,5000.34
Morehouse CollegeAtlanta$31,725$55,567$62,476$23,6250.43
DeVry University-GeorgiaDecatur$17,488$55,102$55,550$46,7970.85
National Median$45,703$26,0000.57

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business administration, management and operations graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

$140,360/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Resources Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

$140,030/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Georgia College & State University, approximately 16% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 156 graduates with reported earnings and 95 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.