Location: Athens, GA•In-State Tuition: $11,180•Out-of-State Tuition: $30,220•Admission Rate: 37%•Avg SAT: 1301
Median Earnings (1yr)
$67,371
95th percentile
80th percentile in Georgia
Median Debt
$15,820
33% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.23 ManageableSample: 66 graduates

Analysis

UGA's international business program delivers exceptionally strong outcomes—graduates earning $67,371 just one year out and climbing to $90,029 by year four places this in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among Georgia programs. That first-year salary is nearly 50% above the national median and roughly $20,000 more than what most Georgia international business graduates earn. The 34% earnings trajectory suggests UGA's alumni network and recruiting relationships in this field translate into meaningful career acceleration.

The financial picture is equally compelling. At $15,820, student debt here runs about $8,000 below the state median and $7,600 below the national median for this major. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 means graduates owe roughly three months' salary—manageable by any standard. While the sample size is moderate, UGA's selective admissions (37% acceptance rate, 1301 average SAT) and established Terry College of Business suggest these outcomes reflect program quality rather than statistical noise.

For families weighing options, this represents one of Georgia's strongest international business programs with a clear return on investment. The combination of above-average earnings, below-average debt, and strong four-year growth makes this difficult to beat within the state system.

Where University of Georgia Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all international business bachelors's programs nationally

University of GeorgiaOther international business programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Georgia graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Georgia earns $67k — 95th percentile among international business bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Georgia$67,371$90,029+34%
George Washington University$70,856$101,930+44%
Georgetown University$81,800$101,821+24%
University of Wisconsin-Madison$66,591$94,010+41%
Kennesaw State University$45,908$58,674+28%

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (11 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of GeorgiaAthens$11,180$67,371$90,029$15,8200.23
Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw$5,786$45,908$58,674$26,8420.58
Valdosta State UniversityValdosta$6,007$30,567———
National Median—$49,890—$23,4720.47

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with international business graduates

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Business Operations Specialists, All Other

All business operations specialists not listed separately.

Business Continuity Planners

Develop, maintain, or implement business continuity and disaster recovery strategies and solutions, including risk assessments, business impact analyses, strategy selection, and documentation of business continuity and disaster recovery procedures. Plan, conduct, and debrief regular mock-disaster exercises to test the adequacy of existing plans and strategies, updating procedures and plans regularly. Act as a coordinator for continuity efforts after a disruption event.

Sustainability Specialists

Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.

Online Merchants

Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records.

Security Management Specialists

Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security or the safety of employees and facilities.

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 University of Georgia, approximately 17% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 66 graduates with reported earnings and 64 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.