Economics at Georgia State University

Georgia State's economics program shows a troubling pattern: graduates start nearly $11,000 below the national median and sit in the 12th percentile nationally—meaning 88% of economics programs produce better early outcomes. Even within Georgia, where this program ranks in the 40th percentile, graduates trail UGA by $9,000 and fall well short of top in-state options like Emory and Spelman. The $28,500 debt load, while only slightly above state norms, becomes harder to justify when paired with these below-average starting salaries.

The positive story here is growth: earnings jump 53% to $62,000 by year four, suggesting the degree eventually delivers decent mid-career value. But that $40,600 starting salary means recent graduates face a difficult period of loan repayment and launching their careers. For a university serving 50% Pell Grant recipients, this early earnings gap matters significantly—those first few years of financial struggle can have lasting consequences.

If your child is choosing between Georgia State and UGA for economics, that $9,000 annual difference adds up quickly. If they're comparing Georgia State to private schools like Emory, the $30,000+ gap is even starker. This program works best for students who need to stay in Atlanta for personal reasons or who are coupling the degree with strong internships that can boost those initial earnings. Otherwise, the in-state alternatives deliver better returns on a similar investment.