Hospitality Administration/Management at Georgia State University

Georgia State's hospitality management program starts graduates at $32,939—below both the state and national medians—but the story changes significantly by year four. Earnings jump 43% to $47,051, which represents one of the stronger growth trajectories in this field. That mid-career earning power matters more for long-term financial stability than the modest starting salary, especially when you're carrying $20,750 in debt rather than the $23,920 national average. Among Georgia's seven hospitality programs, this sits squarely in the middle for first-year outcomes, trailing Kennesaw State slightly at the start but likely catching up as that earnings curve continues.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 is manageable, meaning you'd owe less than eight months of first-year salary. For a field where early career means paying dues in entry-level hotel or restaurant management positions, that's reasonable protection. The real question is whether your student plans to stick with hospitality long enough to reach that higher earning potential—this isn't a field where you peak early and coast.

**Bottom line:** If your child is committed to hospitality management as a career path rather than viewing it as a fallback, this program offers solid debt protection and genuine earnings growth. The modest start should be expected in this industry, but the trajectory suggests the degree does its job.