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Business/Commerce, General at Columbus State University

Columbus, GA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,852/yr (-21% vs median)

AI Risk High (46% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

ROI 23.3x earnings multiple (8.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #118 of 242 Business/Commerce, General programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business/Commerce, General graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$539K	$535K	$495K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	23.4x	23.3x	21.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.0x	8.0x	7.4x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	45%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	65	64	61

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$23,004

Out-of-state: $67,220 (8.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$47,556

-107% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

8.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$54,271

43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,852 place Columbus State University below the $48,211 national median for Business/Commerce, General — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 23.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business/Commerce, General career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $27,000 against $37,852/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #118 ranking among 242 Business/Commerce, General programs places Columbus State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 43% earnings increase from $37,852 to $54,271 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Columbus State University

Columbus State University accepts 99% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 5,537 students in Columbus, GA. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Columbus State University →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr

Sales managers $138,060/yr

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

View all 16 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Business/Commerce, General at Other Schools

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For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 64/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business/Commerce, General at Columbus State University?

At 64/100, Columbus State University's Business/Commerce, General program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Business/Commerce, General at Columbus State University?

The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Columbus State University a good choice for Business/Commerce, General despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Columbus State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →