Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at University of Georgia

UGA's entrepreneurial certificate dramatically outperforms the national field, with first-year earnings of $64,900 crushing the national median of $41,684 by 56%. That $23,000 advantage places graduates in the 95th percentile nationally—nearly reaching the ceiling for this type of credential. The 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio translates to manageable repayment: graduates could theoretically pay off their full debt in under four months of earnings, assuming aggressive saving.

The Georgia perspective reveals interesting dynamics. This program matches the state median exactly for both earnings and debt, landing in the 60th percentile statewide. While that might sound less impressive than the national ranking, it actually reflects the strength of Georgia's entrepreneurial ecosystem overall—the state's programs collectively outperform the nation. With only 24 schools offering this credential in Georgia (versus 470 nationally), students benefit from UGA's flagship status without necessarily paying a premium in debt.

For parents, this represents low-risk skills development. The moderate debt load combined with strong immediate earnings suggests graduates gain practical business capabilities that employers value. Whether your child is testing entrepreneurial waters or supplementing another major, they're unlikely to face financial stress from this credential. The one caveat: the 60th percentile state ranking means other Georgia programs might deliver similar outcomes, so compare options if your student has multiple in-state acceptances.