Median Earnings (1yr)
$39,700
16th percentile
40th percentile in Georgia
Median Debt
$21,750
16% below national median

Analysis

Georgia Gwinnett College's business program sits squarely in the middle of Georgia's offerings—ranking at the 40th percentile statewide—but comes with notably lower debt than most alternatives. At $21,750, graduates carry about $4,500 less debt than the Georgia median and substantially less than the $26,000 national average. That modest debt load paired with first-year earnings of $39,700 creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55, meaning graduates owe roughly half their annual salary—a reasonable starting point for repayment.

The more compelling story emerges over time. Four years out, earnings jump to $52,026, representing 31% growth and putting graduates on par with mid-tier programs like Mercer University. While the program trails top Georgia schools like UGA and Augusta by $8,000-$9,000, it also costs considerably less to attend. The school's 96% admission rate and 50% Pell Grant population suggest it's serving students who might not access selective programs, yet delivering outcomes that keep pace with more competitive options.

For families prioritizing affordability over prestige, this presents a practical path forward. Your child won't graduate at the top of Georgia's business earnings rankings, but they'll start with manageable debt and see solid earnings progression—a combination that matters more than year-one salary alone when building long-term financial stability.

Where Georgia Gwinnett College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Georgia Gwinnett College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Georgia Gwinnett College$39,700$52,026+31%
Mercer University$52,819$66,047+25%
Strayer University-Georgia$55,431$59,763+8%
DeVry University-Georgia$57,020$56,664-1%
Columbus State University$37,852$49,756+31%

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (19 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Georgia Gwinnett CollegeLawrenceville$4,458$39,700$52,026$21,7500.55
University of GeorgiaAthens$11,180$60,895$25,0920.41
Augusta UniversityAugusta$8,122$60,541$18,5310.31
DeVry University-GeorgiaDecatur$17,488$57,020$56,664$47,2360.83
Strayer University-GeorgiaChamblee$13,920$55,431$59,763$56,5171.02
Mercer UniversityMacon$40,890$52,819$66,047$51,4520.97
National Median$47,506$26,0000.55

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

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

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/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 Gwinnett College, approximately 50% 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 56 graduates with reported earnings and 56 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.