Health Professions at Bowling Green State University-Firelands

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 suggests this program's graduates—based on what similar health professions associate's degrees produce nationally—could manage their loan burden reasonably well. With estimated first-year earnings around $35,200 and debt near $15,400, the financial picture looks workable compared to many two-year programs. That said, these figures come from peer programs across the country, not from tracking actual Bowling Green State-Firelands graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty in how this specific program performs.

The challenge is that "health professions" is a broad umbrella. Some paths in this category lead to well-paying clinical roles with strong labor demand, while others plateau quickly or require additional credentials to advance. The Ohio market for these programs shows median earnings slightly below the national average at $34,123, which could reflect regional wage differences or the mix of specific careers graduates pursue. Without knowing which particular health profession this associate's degree prepares students for—medical assistant, respiratory therapy tech, radiologic tech, dental hygienist—it's difficult to assess true earning potential.

For parents, the key question is specificity: what exact credential or licensure does completing this program provide? If it's a terminal degree leading directly to employment in a healthcare role, the modest debt load makes it a defensible choice. If it's a stepping stone requiring further education, factor in those additional costs before committing.