Business Administration, Management and Operations at Herzing University-Atlanta

Herzing University-Atlanta graduates with business degrees earn $52,469 initially and $55,767 after four years—numbers that beat both Georgia's state median ($44,392) and the national median ($45,703) by meaningful margins. Among Georgia's 54 business programs, this places in the 60th percentile, which means graduates are out-earning those from many better-known state schools. The catch? Students are taking on $46,792 in debt—nearly double the national and state medians of around $26,000—and that creates the real tension in this decision.

That debt level translates to a 0.89 debt-to-earnings ratio, which isn't catastrophic but requires careful planning. Monthly loan payments will likely consume a significant portion of take-home pay in those early years, especially given the modest 6% earnings growth over the first four years. The silver lining is that 68% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the school serves students who might not have other pathways to competitive earnings. For many families, that debt burden may feel worth it if alternative paths offer lower wages or require additional years of schooling.

The practical question: Can your family handle the debt load on these earnings? If avoiding debt entirely is the priority, starting at a community college or attending a public university with lower sticker prices makes more sense. But if you're comparing private, accessible options, Herzing delivers earnings that justify the investment better than many alternatives—just barely, and only if those first few years of tighter finances are manageable.