Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern's Communication Disorders program graduates earn slightly below the state median ($26,396 versus $27,504), landing in the 40th percentile among Georgia's four programs in this field. The first-year earnings lag is modest—about $1,100 behind University of West Georgia—but it's worth noting given that most students likely choose between in-state options. Nationally, the picture looks better: graduates here earn more than 61% of similar programs across the country, thanks largely to lower national benchmarks for this major.

The financial setup is reasonable. At $26,004 in debt, graduates owe almost exactly what they'll earn in their first year—a 0.99 ratio that's manageable for a field where earnings typically grow as professionals gain clinical hours and credentials. The debt load sits well below both national and state medians, suggesting the university keeps costs contained. For a stepping-stone degree—most speech pathology careers require a master's degree—avoiding excessive undergraduate debt matters considerably.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with a few different outcomes, so verify current trends if possible. But the fundamentals check out: modest debt for a program that feeds into graduate school and a clinical profession with strong long-term prospects. If your child is committed to speech pathology, this represents a cost-effective foundation, even if it doesn't lead the pack within Georgia.