Physiology, Pathology at Ashland University

That first-year salary of $31,192 is alarming—it's below Ohio's median for this field by over $5,000, putting Ashland in the bottom quartile of Ohio programs. However, this program shows remarkable recovery: four-year earnings jump 75% to reach $54,491, eventually surpassing both national and state benchmarks. The debt load of $27,000 is actually quite manageable, representing less than six months of that fourth-year salary.

The small sample size here matters significantly. With fewer than 30 graduates reporting data, these numbers could swing dramatically with just a handful of different outcomes. That said, the earnings trajectory suggests graduates may be starting in entry-level research or lab positions before moving into better-paying roles—a common pattern for science programs where initial positions build toward specialized opportunities.

For parents, the key question is whether your student can weather that difficult first year financially. If they can manage on a $31,000 salary while servicing moderate debt, this program appears to set them up for solid mid-term earnings. But if immediate financial independence is critical, the Ohio University campuses show more consistent starting salaries. Given the data uncertainty and weak initial performance, this is only worth considering if your student has specific career goals that align with Ashland's pathways.