Business Operations Support and Assistant Services at Valdosta State University

Valdosta State's Business Operations Support program shows graduates earning well above the national median—$42,088 versus $29,373—though the small graduating cohort (under 30 students) means individual circumstances heavily influence these numbers. The program sits in the 67th percentile nationally for earnings, and graduates carry roughly double the typical debt load for this field. That debt burden is notable but not alarming given the first-year salary.

The real question mark is the earnings trajectory: median pay drops to $33,575 by year four, a 20% decline that's unusual and concerning. This could reflect the small sample creating volatility, graduates moving into lower-paying roles, or timing issues with data collection. With only one Georgia school offering this bachelor's program, there's no state-level comparison to help clarify whether this pattern is regional or program-specific.

For families considering this path, the initial outcomes look reasonable—graduates start above national benchmarks and the debt-to-earnings ratio near 1:1 is manageable. But the earnings decline warrants serious investigation during campus visits. Ask the department directly about career paths: Are graduates staying in business operations roles? What kinds of positions do they move into? The small program size means advising and career support become even more critical to ensuring your student doesn't just land that first job, but builds toward sustainable growth.