Best Value Business Administration Colleges in Georgia

Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn $61,714 annually while paying just $13,289 in net costs, creating one of the strongest return on investment ratios for business programs in the state. This stands in sharp contrast to Dalton State College, where graduates earn $35,653 but pay only $4,694 annually. The 20 programs span from ultra-affordable options under $5,000 to Emory University's $23,911 net cost, which produces the highest-earning graduates at $77,283. Georgia's booming logistics sector, anchored by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and major distribution centers, creates strong demand for operations management professionals. The HOPE Scholarship significantly reduces costs at public institutions for qualifying students, with in-state tuition ranging from $3,283 at Dalton State to $11,764 at Georgia Tech. Graduation rates vary dramatically, from 25.20% at Savannah State to 92.30% at Georgia Tech, reflecting different student populations and academic focuses across the state's business programs.

Programs

$4,694 – $35,949

Net Price Range

$41,707

Avg. Program Earnings

40.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Dalton State College Dalton, Georgia	$4,694	$35,653	$3,283	29.6%
2	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, Georgia	$13,289	$61,714	$11,764	92.3%	17.1%
3	Savannah State University Savannah, Georgia	$8,683	$35,060	$5,498	25.2%
4	Clayton State University Morrow, Georgia	$10,145	$37,688	$5,068	35.4%	56.3%
5	Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, Georgia	$12,052	$41,193	$4,980	31.9%	73.2%
6	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$47,113	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
7	Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia	$11,889	$39,153	$5,751	41.7%	87.8%
8	Emory University Atlanta, Georgia	$23,911	$77,283	$60,774	91.8%	11.4%
9	University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia	$10,785	$34,755	$5,009	36.8%	69.6%
10	Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia	$11,298	$34,603	$6,007	41.7%	89.5%
11	Augusta University Augusta, Georgia	$13,347	$40,456	$8,122	48.6%	85.5%
12	Shorter University Rome, Georgia	$16,286	$48,823	$24,044	37.1%	97.5%
13	Young Harris College Young Harris, Georgia	$11,008	$32,382	$32,305	45.7%	77.3%
14	Middle Georgia State University Macon, Georgia	$13,922	$38,485	$4,432	25.6%	99.7%
15	Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia	$16,531	$45,696	$5,905	52.1%	88.9%
16	American InterContinental University-Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia	$15,774	$41,703	$13,416	21.1%
17	Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Georgia	$11,609	$30,554	$5,392	45.2%	43.1%
18	Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia	$15,931	$41,689	$8,478	53.7%	66.8%
19	University of West Georgia Carrollton, Georgia	$15,450	$38,924	$5,971	42.7%	80.1%
20	Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia	$16,972	$42,185	$5,786	48.1%	67.9%
21	Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, Georgia	$18,809	$43,658	$8,998	61.6%	80.0%
22	Herzing University-Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia	$21,757	$50,047	$13,420	29.2%	93.4%
23	LaGrange College Lagrange, Georgia	$17,805	$40,188	$34,540	41.8%	59.1%
24	Emmanuel University Franklin Springs, Georgia	$19,297	$39,009	$23,664	34.6%	62.7%
25	Point University West Point, Georgia	$20,752	$41,937	$22,300	40.4%	24.2%
26	Piedmont University Demorest, Georgia	$20,893	$40,140	$30,680	41.5%	64.4%
27	Albany State University Albany, Georgia	$14,251	$26,977	$5,934	22.8%
28	Oglethorpe University Atlanta, Georgia	$21,735	$38,289	$45,806	53.9%	71.0%
29	South University-Savannah Savannah, Georgia	$24,116	$39,986	$18,238	22.7%
30	Berry College Mount Berry, Georgia	$21,568	$35,416	$40,416	73.9%	66.3%
31	DeVry University-Georgia Decatur, Georgia	$30,243	$46,521	$17,488	36.4%	50.0%
32	Reinhardt University Waleska, Georgia	$27,769	$42,682	$28,420	35.6%	62.3%
33	South University-Savannah Online Savannah, Georgia	$26,308	$39,986	$16,546	5.1%
34	Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia	$35,949	$49,722	$31,725	52.7%	60.0%
35	Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, Georgia	$35,115	$40,068	$26,446	47.8%	56.3%
36	Gordon State College Barnesville, Georgia	$8,918		$3,475	17.3%	93.3%
37	Wesleyan College Macon, Georgia	$14,528		$27,650	60.6%	66.8%
38	Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Georgia	$14,693		$8,112	32.9%
39	Strayer University-Georgia Chamblee, Georgia	$18,224		$13,920	23.1%
40	Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, Georgia	$20,133		$23,250	46.0%	68.0%
41	Thomas University Thomasville, Georgia	$19,313		$11,640	27.8%	46.1%
42	Paine College Augusta, Georgia	$15,074		$14,596	21.7%	51.5%
43	Mercer University Macon, Georgia	$22,350		$40,890	73.4%	74.7%
44	Life University Marietta, Georgia	$30,257		$15,036	32.1%	97.8%
45	Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, Georgia	$6,061		$3,195	29.1%	67.0%
46	Georgia Highlands College Rome, Georgia	$6,588		$2,944	20.8%
47	College of Coastal Georgia Brunswick, Georgia	$12,905		$3,483	25.6%	98.3%
48	Brewton-Parker College Mount Vernon, Georgia	$21,983		$21,696	23.5%	94.8%
49	Brenau University Gainesville, Georgia	$20,786		$33,275	35.4%	86.6%
50	Beulah Heights University Atlanta, Georgia	$5,970		$8,492	16.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $42,630 earnings gap between the highest and lowest paying programs?

Emory University graduates earn $77,283 compared to $32,382 at Young Harris College, reflecting institutional reputation and alumni networks. Georgia Tech's strong engineering culture and Atlanta location help business graduates earn $61,714, well above the state average. The University of Georgia produces mid-range earners at $47,113 despite its flagship status. Location plays a role, with Atlanta-area schools generally producing higher-earning graduates than rural institutions.

How does Georgia's HOPE Scholarship affect program costs?

The HOPE Scholarship covers full tuition for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA at public colleges, dramatically reducing costs. In-state tuition ranges from just $3,283 at Dalton State to $11,764 at Georgia Tech. Net costs after aid range from $4,694 to $16,531 at public institutions. Private schools like Emory charge $23,911 in net costs despite generous financial aid packages.

Is Georgia Tech worth the higher cost compared to other public options?

Georgia Tech's $13,289 net cost produces graduates earning $61,714, creating strong value despite being pricier than alternatives. The 92.30% graduation rate far exceeds other state options, with most programs graduating fewer than 50% of students. Tech's 17.13% acceptance rate reflects high selectivity that translates to better outcomes. The $21,500 average debt load remains reasonable given earning potential.

Where do graduates find the best job markets in Georgia?

Atlanta's corporate headquarters including Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, and Coca-Cola create strong demand for business graduates. The metro area's logistics center status, with Hartsfield-Jackson airport and major distribution centers, drives operations management opportunities. Columbus and Augusta offer regional business centers with lower living costs. Savannah's growing port operations provide supply chain management positions for graduates.

Does graduation rate correlate with program value in Georgia?

Elite institutions like Emory (91.80%) and Georgia Tech (92.30%) combine high graduation rates with strong earnings. However, some lower-graduation programs offer solid value, with Georgia Southern's 52.10% rate producing $45,696 earners. Dalton State's 29.60% graduation rate still delivers positive ROI given the $4,694 cost. Regional universities typically graduate 25-45% of business students, reflecting open enrollment policies and varied student needs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.