Rankings / By State
Best Communications Colleges in Georgia
- 22
- Schools
- $48,407
- Avg. Earnings
- 50%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,467
- Avg. Net Price
- $24,052
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $33,338 at the low end to $68,726 at the top. That 2.1× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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University of North Georgia offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $50,135 against $9,823 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Savannah State University, at $8,172 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Georgia graduates 89% of its students, well above the 50% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor University of Georgia: graduates owe only 0.27× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Savannah State University ($8,172/yr) and Savannah College of Art and Design ($49,430/yr) produce graduates earning $37,981 and $45,954 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $41,258 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, University of North Georgia outperforms University of Georgia: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: University of Georgia graduates 89% of its students versus 17% at Paine College. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with University of North Georgia and University of Georgia. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $49K within a decade, and pr specialist roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 University of Georgia #1 overall | $68,726 ▲ +42% vs avg | $13,936 | 89% | 79 |
| 2 Kennesaw State University #2 overall | $57,552 ▲ +19% vs avg | $15,048 | 50% | 72 |
| 3 University of North Georgia #3 overall | $50,135 ▲ +4% vs avg | $9,823 | 37% | 71 |
| $58,140 ▲ +20% vs avg | $20,686 | 63% | 71 | |
| $58,354 ▲ +21% vs avg | $23,847 | 72% | 70 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Communications Colleges in Georgia
This analysis ranks 22 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $48,407 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 50% and an average net price of $19,467.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of North Georgia — Net Price: $9,823 | Graduation Rate: 37%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Georgia — 89% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Georgia — Median alumni earnings: $68,726
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Humanities & Creative Fields Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the value of a humanities and creative education?
$49,246
Median earnings (10yr)
49%
Median graduation rate
$15,969
Median net price
1.9%
Avg. mobility rate
The value of a humanities or creative degree resists summary in a single earnings number, but that does not make it absent. These programs build critical thinking, persuasive writing, and creative problem-solving, the abilities employers consistently say they need most. Those skills compound over a career and narrow the early earnings gap with more vocational fields.
The median graduation rate across these 22 schools is 49%. Median graduate earnings reach $49,246 ten years after enrollment, roughly $1,246 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $15,969 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $24,199. Some 41% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.9%.
Variability is the theme across these programs, and wide ranges in both earnings and cost make school selection especially consequential. Graduates earn a median of $49,246 ten years after enrollment, and the median net price runs $15,969. Affordability is the single most effective lever for improving ROI in this category.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Georgia lands at #1 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $68,726 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,936 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Kennesaw State University lands at #2 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $57,552 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,048 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of North Georgia lands at #3 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $50,135 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,823 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Milledgeville, GA · 78% accepted · $20,686 net
Why it ranks #4
Georgia College & State University lands at #4 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,140 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,686 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Mercer University lands at #5 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $58,354 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,847 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Georgia Southern University lands at #6 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $53,236 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,267 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Berry College lands at #7 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,800 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,320 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Oglethorpe University lands at #8 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $55,232 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,509 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of West Georgia lands at #9 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $49,587 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,786 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Valdosta State University lands at #10 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $49,361 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,945 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Columbus State University lands at #11 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $44,544 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,115 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Savannah College of Art and Design lands at #12 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $45,954 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $49,430 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Piedmont University lands at #13 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $49,130 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,599 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Clark Atlanta University lands at #14 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (23/100). Graduates earn a median $42,712 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $37,702 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Morehouse College lands at #15 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $52,889 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $39,013 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Fort Valley State University lands at #16 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $36,666 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,338 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Wesleyan College lands at #17 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (74/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $44,317 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,724 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Savannah State University lands at #18 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $37,981 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,172 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Augusta University lands at #19 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $48,472 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,787 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Paine College lands at #20 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $33,338 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,670 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Emmanuel University lands at #21 with a 52/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (55/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $38,208 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,925 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Toccoa Falls College lands at #22 with a 52/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (55/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $36,630 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,642 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 22 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become PR Specialists and related roles — a field with $67,440 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the PR Specialist career guide →When considering a degree in communications, prospective students in Georgia have a range of strong options. These colleges not only focus on effective communication strategies but also prepare graduates for a variety of careers in media, public relations, and beyond. The average earnings for communications graduates in this state currently sit at $49,314, giving families tangible data to consider.
What sets the best programs apart is their graduation rates, average debt, and post-graduation earnings. For example, the University of Georgia boasts an impressive 89% graduation rate, significantly higher than others on the list. Understanding how schools perform across these metrics can help students identify which program might lead to the best outcomes based on their personal goals.
Take the University of Georgia and Kennesaw State University as examples. While both schools offer solid programs, the University of Georgia's graduates earn an average of $68,726 compared to Kennesaw State's $57,552. However, Kennesaw’s net price of $15,048 is more accessible than Georgia’s $13,936. This illustrates the trade-offs students must weigh when choosing the right program for their future.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 18 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.9%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Savannah State University leads the group at 4%, with Clark Atlanta University (3.3%) and Morehouse College (3.1%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 10.5% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Paine College enrolls the most, at 30.1%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 21.5% across the list, peaking at 36.4% at Morehouse College.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.39, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Savannah College of Art and Design is highest at 1.64.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
In examining the data, one striking pattern emerges: the University of Georgia outperforms others in both earnings and graduation rates. With a graduation rate of 89% and average earnings of $68,726, it significantly eclipses the University of North Georgia, which has a 37% graduation rate and lower earnings of $50,135. This highlights how a strong support system and resources can lead to better outcomes.
For students and families navigating their options, it’s essential to weigh these statistics against individual priorities. Consider what factors matter most: Is it the potential salary post-graduation, or is minimizing debt a higher priority? Visit campuses, talk to current students, and evaluate programs based on your career aspirations to make a well-informed choice.
Ultimately, this data paints a picture of how higher education can shape opportunities and earning potential. Families must weigh these decisions carefully, as they impact not just college life, but long-term financial stability. One decision can set the course for a student’s professional journey, making it vital to choose wisely based on both data and personal values.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Communications Colleges in Georgia: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Communications Colleges in Georgia ranking? +
University of Georgia in Athens, GA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Communications Colleges in Georgia ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $68,726 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 89% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Georgia posts the highest median earnings on this list: $68,726 ten years after enrollment, well above the $48,407 average across the 22 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of North Georgia leads: graduates earn a median $50,135 against net price of about $9,823 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Georgia has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 89%, compared with a 50% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $19,467 a year across the 22 ranked schools with cost data. Savannah State University is among the most affordable at roughly $8,172. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Communications Colleges in Georgia ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 22 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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