Degrees and Dollars in Georgia

Explore how higher education shapes earning potential in Georgia. We examine why investing in a degree matters, compare career outcomes by field, and highlight real-world impacts for Georgians. Discover what makes a degree valuable in the Peach State.

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Chapter 1

Why Degrees Matter in Georgia

Timothy Chester

I first met Hank Huckaby in 2011, shortly after he was appointed Chancellor of the University System of Georgia. We were at a UGA leadership retreat, and after his remarks, I introduced myself. He already knew I’d been appointed as UGA’s new CIO and smiled knowingly: “You’ve got a big job ahead of you.” But it's something he said at a faculty lunch the next year that I'll never forget: “Too many people are questioning the value of a college degree. I never thought I’d see the day.”

Timothy Chester

That comment stuck with me. Chancellor Huckaby, who believed deeply that college was essential to the nation’s prosperity, took the rising skepticism as an affront. He saw it not just as a cultural shift but as a leadership failure—a sign that his generation hadn’t done enough to communicate higher education's enduring value. It weighed on him, not just professionally, but personally.

Timothy Chester

Chancellor Huckaby passed away in 2021, but his commitment to defending the value of higher education still echoes across the state. In today’s Dispatch, we explore how Georgia continues that work—confronting skepticism through data and transparency.