Compare 11 Public Finance. programs in Georgia. Average earnings: $58,124.
The highest-earning Public Finance program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $38K earnings gap across 11 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University of Georgia's Public Finance program leads with graduates earning $81,652. But regional competition runs deep—Georgia State University produces graduates earning $65,600, while Kennesaw State University delivers $63,121. The average across all programs is $58,124, showing how the top performers separate themselves.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Georgia graduates borrow $18,500 and face just a 4.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $81,652 | 608 | $18,500 | Excellent | $20,855 | Good |
| #2 | Georgia State UniversityPublic | $65,600 | 218 | $20,903 | Excellent | $14,837 | Manageable |
| #3 | $63,121 | 172 | $23,833 | Good | $19,000 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $62,580 | 70 | $17,750 | Excellent | $12,100 | Good | |
| #5 | $61,615 | 112 | $23,250 | Good | $16,000 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $61,509 | 64 | $23,970 | Good | $15,047 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $56,189 | 35 | $24,779 | Good | $19,136 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $49,844 | 24 | $26,000 | Manageable | $13,815 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Mercer UniversityPrivate | $47,956 | 34 | $24,199 | Manageable | $20,000 | High |
| #10 | Augusta UniversityPublic | $45,504 | 5 | $20,500 | Manageable | $15,568 | Challenging |
| #11 | Berry CollegePrivate | $43,798 | 8 | $23,250 | Manageable | $29,771 | 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 →
