Cheapest Business Administration Colleges in Georgia

Georgia's public colleges deliver remarkable value for business students, with Dalton State College offering a complete degree for just $4,694 in net costs while graduates earn $35,653 annually. The state's HOPE Scholarship makes these programs even more accessible by covering tuition for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA at public institutions. Atlanta's status as a major business center creates strong demand for management professionals, particularly in the growing film, technology, and logistics sectors that drive Georgia's economy. However, the data reveals concerning completion rates at several institutions, with Atlanta Metropolitan State College graduating only 14.3% of students despite low costs. Young Harris College stands out as the sole private option, charging $11,008 in net costs but achieving a 45.7% graduation rate that surpasses most public alternatives. The earnings potential varies significantly across programs, from Fort Valley State's $30,554 average to Georgia Southwestern's $41,193, suggesting that school choice impacts long-term career outcomes beyond just upfront costs.

Programs

$4,694 – $30,243

Net Price Range

$41,514

Avg. Program Earnings

40.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Dalton State College Dalton, Georgia	$4,694	$3,283	29.6%
2	Atlanta Metropolitan State College Atlanta, Georgia	$5,090	$3,105	14.3%
3	Beulah Heights University Atlanta, Georgia	$5,970	$8,492	16.7%
4	Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, Georgia	$6,061	$3,195	29.1%	67.0%
5	Georgia Highlands College Rome, Georgia	$6,588	$2,944	20.8%
6	Savannah State University Savannah, Georgia	$8,683	$5,498	25.2%
7	Gordon State College Barnesville, Georgia	$8,918	$3,475	17.3%	93.3%
8	Clayton State University Morrow, Georgia	$10,145	$5,068	35.4%	56.3%
9	University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia	$10,785	$5,009	36.8%	69.6%
10	Young Harris College Young Harris, Georgia	$11,008	$32,305	45.7%	77.3%
11	Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia	$11,298	$6,007	41.7%	89.5%
12	Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Georgia	$11,609	$5,392	45.2%	43.1%
13	Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia	$11,889	$5,751	41.7%	87.8%
14	Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, Georgia	$12,052	$4,980	31.9%	73.2%
15	College of Coastal Georgia Brunswick, Georgia	$12,905	$3,483	25.6%	98.3%
16	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, Georgia	$13,289	$11,764	92.3%	17.1%
17	Augusta University Augusta, Georgia	$13,347	$8,122	48.6%	85.5%
18	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
19	Middle Georgia State University Macon, Georgia	$13,922	$4,432	25.6%	99.7%
20	Albany State University Albany, Georgia	$14,251	$5,934	22.8%
21	Wesleyan College Macon, Georgia	$14,528	$27,650	60.6%	66.8%
22	Georgia Military College Milledgeville, Georgia	$14,693	$8,112	32.9%
23	Paine College Augusta, Georgia	$15,074	$14,596	21.7%	51.5%
24	University of West Georgia Carrollton, Georgia	$15,450	$5,971	42.7%	80.1%
25	American InterContinental University-Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia	$15,774	$13,416	21.1%
26	Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia	$15,931	$8,478	53.7%	66.8%
27	Shorter University Rome, Georgia	$16,286	$24,044	37.1%	97.5%
28	Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia	$16,531	$5,905	52.1%	88.9%
29	Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia	$16,972	$5,786	48.1%	67.9%
30	LaGrange College Lagrange, Georgia	$17,805	$34,540	41.8%	59.1%
31	Strayer University-Georgia Chamblee, Georgia	$18,224	$13,920	23.1%
32	Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, Georgia	$18,809	$8,998	61.6%	80.0%
33	Emmanuel University Franklin Springs, Georgia	$19,297	$23,664	34.6%	62.7%
34	Thomas University Thomasville, Georgia	$19,313	$11,640	27.8%	46.1%
35	Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, Georgia	$20,133	$23,250	46.0%	68.0%
36	Point University West Point, Georgia	$20,752	$22,300	40.4%	24.2%
37	Brenau University Gainesville, Georgia	$20,786	$33,275	35.4%	86.6%
38	Piedmont University Demorest, Georgia	$20,893	$30,680	41.5%	64.4%
39	Berry College Mount Berry, Georgia	$21,568	$40,416	73.9%	66.3%
40	Oglethorpe University Atlanta, Georgia	$21,735	$45,806	53.9%	71.0%
41	Herzing University-Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia	$21,757	$13,420	29.2%	93.4%
42	Andrew College Cuthbert, Georgia	$21,934	$19,126	27.0%	49.6%
43	Brewton-Parker College Mount Vernon, Georgia	$21,983	$21,696	23.5%	94.8%
44	Mercer University Macon, Georgia	$22,350	$40,890	73.4%	74.7%
45	Emory University Atlanta, Georgia	$23,911	$60,774	91.8%	11.4%
46	South University-Savannah Savannah, Georgia	$24,116	$18,238	22.7%
47	Agnes Scott College Decatur, Georgia	$24,224	$48,150	70.5%	66.5%
48	South University-Savannah Online Savannah, Georgia	$26,308	$16,546	5.1%
49	Reinhardt University Waleska, Georgia	$27,769	$28,420	35.6%	62.3%
50	DeVry University-Georgia Decatur, Georgia	$30,243	$17,488	36.4%	50.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Dalton State College the most affordable option for business students?

Dalton State College charges just $4,694 in net costs, making it the cheapest business program in Georgia. In-state students pay only $3,283 in tuition, and the HOPE Scholarship can cover this entirely for qualifying students. Graduates earn $35,653 on average while carrying $16,959 in debt. The school maintains a 29.6% graduation rate, which exceeds several other low-cost options in the state.

How do graduation rates compare among Georgia's cheapest business programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically, from Atlanta Metropolitan State College's concerning 14.3% to Young Harris College's strong 45.7%. Most public colleges fall between 25-42%, with Fort Valley State (45.2%) and Valdosta State (41.7%) leading among public institutions. Schools with the lowest net costs often struggle with completion, suggesting that affordability alone doesn't guarantee student success.

Does the HOPE Scholarship make private colleges competitive with public options?

The HOPE Scholarship only applies to public institutions, leaving private colleges at a significant disadvantage. Young Harris College costs $11,008 net compared to public alternatives under $7,000, despite charging $32,305 in sticker price. However, Young Harris achieves a 45.7% graduation rate and graduates earn $32,382 annually. Private colleges must demonstrate clear value beyond what HOPE-eligible public programs offer.

What earning potential can graduates expect from these affordable programs?

Business graduates from Georgia's cheapest programs earn between $30,554 and $41,193 annually within six years. Georgia Southwestern State leads earnings at $41,193 despite charging $12,052 in net costs. Columbus State graduates earn $39,153 while paying $11,889. Fort Valley State shows the lowest earnings at $30,554, though graduates carry $29,000 in debt compared to other programs.

Where do these affordable business programs provide the best value for money?

Georgia Southwestern State University offers the strongest return on investment, with graduates earning $41,193 while paying $12,052 in net costs and carrying just $20,625 in debt. Clayton State provides solid value at $10,145 net cost with $37,688 in earnings and a 35.4% graduation rate. Dalton State remains unmatched for pure affordability at $4,694, though earnings potential sits in the middle range at $35,653.

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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.