Est. Earnings (1yr)
$44,392
Est. from GA median (40 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,125
Est. from GA median (15 programs)

Analysis

Life University's business program sits squarely in the middle of Georgia's business education landscape. Based on comparable programs at similar institutions in the state, graduates typically start around $44,400—almost exactly matching both state and national medians for business degrees. The estimated $26,125 in debt aligns closely with typical borrowing patterns, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 that falls within manageable territory for business majors.

The challenge here is the ceiling. While peer programs suggest solid middle-income starting points, top business programs in Georgia launch graduates into distinctly different earning brackets—Emory and Georgia Tech grads start above $70,000, nearly double what similar programs to Life produce. This gap matters less if your child is drawn to Life's distinctive focus (the university is known for chiropractic training and holistic health approaches), but parents should recognize this isn't a path to high-finance salaries. The relatively open admission and below-average test scores suggest Life serves students who might struggle to access more selective programs.

The practical takeaway: If you're evaluating this against other Georgia business programs and your child has the academic profile for more selective options, the earnings data suggests exploring those alternatives first. If Life's particular mission or accessibility aligns with your family's needs, the estimated debt load appears workable on typical business program salaries—though the 39% Pell grant population suggests many families here face real financial constraints.

Where Life University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business administration, management and operations bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Business Administration, Management and Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (54 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Life UniversityMarietta$15,036$44,392*$26,125*
Emory UniversityAtlanta$60,774$85,682*$107,945$19,500*0.23
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta$11,764$73,557*$78,313$23,000*0.31
University of GeorgiaAthens$11,180$56,630*$63,445$19,500*0.34
Morehouse CollegeAtlanta$31,725$55,567*$62,476$23,625*0.43
DeVry University-GeorgiaDecatur$17,488$55,102*$55,550$46,797*0.85
National Median$45,703*$26,000*0.57
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business administration, management and operations graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

$140,360/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Resources Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

$140,030/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Life University, approximately 39% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 40 similar programs in GA. Actual outcomes may vary.