Construction Management at Gwinnett Technical College

Gwinnett Technical College's Construction Management associate's program offers an unusually favorable debt-to-earnings profile, with graduates carrying just $21,048 in median debt—below the 20th percentile nationally. That means four out of five similar programs saddle students with more debt. With first-year earnings at $53,071 and manageable debt, graduates face a debt load equal to just 40% of their first year's salary, making this relatively easy to repay compared to many technical programs.

Within Georgia, this program performs solidly, ranking at the 60th percentile for earnings among the state's nine Construction Management programs. Graduates also see steady progression, with earnings climbing to $56,227 by year four. Given that nearly 40% of students receive Pell grants, this combination of low debt and immediate earning potential matters—these aren't just numbers but monthly budgets that work from day one.

The major caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means these figures could shift considerably year to year. Still, the fundamental equation is sound for students interested in construction management. They're getting training for a field where even median national earnings exceed $53,000, with debt levels that won't dominate their financial lives. For Georgia families looking at technical programs, this represents a practical path to middle-class income without the debt burden that often accompanies four-year degrees.