Finance and Financial Management Services at Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern's finance program produces graduates who start below both national and state medians, earning $50,753 in their first year—about $5,000 less than the typical Georgia finance graduate and $3,000 below the national benchmark. Among Georgia's 16 finance programs, this ranks at the 40th percentile, trailing not just flagship UGA but also Georgia State, Kennesaw State, and University of West Georgia. Given the school's 90% admission rate and relatively accessible entry requirements, these middling outcomes aren't surprising, but they matter when your child is taking on debt.

The financial picture itself isn't alarming—$24,656 in debt against $50,753 in earnings yields a manageable 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates can reasonably expect to pay down loans without crushing hardship. The 21% earnings growth to $61,615 by year four shows the degree does open doors to career progression, though that trajectory doesn't close the gap with stronger programs in the state.

For Georgia families, this comes down to price and alternatives. If your child is choosing between Georgia Southern and similarly-positioned regional schools, the outcomes are comparable. But if they can gain admission to Georgia State or Kennesaw State, those programs deliver meaningfully stronger earning power—$5,000 to $6,000 more annually—making them worth serious consideration even if it means moving to Atlanta or a different campus environment.