Business Administration, Management and Operations at Gordon State College

Gordon State's business program delivers one of its greatest strengths in an often-overlooked area: keeping student debt remarkably low. At $19,000 in median debt—nearly $8,000 below Georgia's typical business program and $7,000 below the national average—graduates start their careers with significant financial breathing room. The 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can realistically pay off their loans within two years of disciplined saving, a feat that's increasingly rare for bachelor's programs.

The tradeoff comes in starting salaries. At nearly $40,000, first-year earnings trail both state and national medians by about $5,000. However, this gap matters less than it appears when you consider the total financial picture: a Gordon State graduate earning $39,798 with $19,000 in debt has more take-home income after loan payments than a graduate from many Georgia programs earning $44,392 but carrying $26,538 in debt. Among Georgia's 54 business programs, Gordon State lands squarely in the middle for earnings—not exceptional, but respectable for a college serving nearly half its students on Pell grants.

For families prioritizing affordability and a manageable path to financial independence, this program offers solid value. The combination of accessible admissions, low debt burden, and middle-of-the-pack Georgia earnings creates a viable pathway to the middle class without the financial stress that burdens many business graduates elsewhere.