Hospitality Administration/Management at Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State's hospitality management program produces graduates earning $35,039 their first year out—slightly above both the national median ($34,675) and ahead of 60% of Georgia programs. More importantly, graduates carry $31,000 in debt, which places this program in the 5th percentile nationally for debt load. That's a meaningful advantage: most hospitality programs nationally saddle students with $23,920, but Kennesaw students leave with about $7,000 more debt despite barely higher earnings.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.88 means graduates face nearly a full year's salary in student loans, which is manageable but tight in an industry known for modest starting salaries. This program actually trails Georgia State's hospitality graduates, who earn slightly less ($32,939) but likely carry less debt. For context, the 75th percentile nationally is only $38,190—there's a ceiling on hospitality earnings that limits how much any program can move the needle.

The trade-off is clear: you're paying above-average debt for slightly above-average outcomes in a field where few graduates start strong financially. If your child is passionate about hospitality and plans to stay in Georgia, this works—the earnings are competitive regionally. But if they're cost-sensitive or uncertain about the field, that $31,000 debt burden deserves serious consideration against alternative paths into hospitality.