Business Administration, Management and Operations at Georgia Southwestern State University

Georgia Southwestern delivers business outcomes that consistently outperform both state and national benchmarks. With first-year earnings of $49,765—ranking in the 60th percentile among Georgia's 54 business programs—graduates earn about $5,000 more than the typical Georgia business graduate and $4,000 above the national median. The manageable debt load of $26,450 creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53, meaning students can reasonably expect to repay their loans within a year of full-time work.

The 9% earnings growth to $54,214 by year four suggests graduates are building viable career trajectories, though they won't reach the heights of Emory or Georgia Tech alumni. What matters here is the program's effectiveness relative to its cost and accessibility—with a 77% admission rate and 41% of students receiving Pell grants, this represents a practical path to business credentials for students who might not access Georgia's elite institutions.

For families weighing in-state options, Georgia Southwestern occupies a sensible middle ground: outcomes that exceed what most Georgia business programs deliver, at debt levels that won't constrain your child's early career choices. The numbers suggest competent career preparation without the premium price tag of Georgia's flagship programs.