Compare 6 National Security Policy Studies. programs in Georgia. Average earnings: $49,703.
With top graduates earning $61,472, National Security Policy Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $11K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Emory University's National Security Policy Studies program leads with graduates earning $61,472, well above the $49,703 average across Georgia's 6 programs. University of Georgia follows at $53,201, while University of North Georgia delivers $52,281—demonstrating that program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Emory graduates borrow $18,250 and face just a 6.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, University of North Georgia leads with a 14.6% family burden compared to Emory's 18.8%, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $61,472 | 53 | $18,250 | Excellent | $30,480 | Challenging |
| #2 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $53,201 | 227 | $18,500 | Good | $20,855 | Challenging |
| #3 | $52,281 | 30 | $17,750 | Good | $12,100 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $47,459 | 38 | $23,833 | Manageable | $19,000 | High | |
| #5 | $46,478 | 24 | $21,672 | Manageable | $32,216 | High | |
| #6 | $37,328 | 31 | $23,250 | Challenging | $16,000 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
