Business/Commerce at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green's business program puts graduates slightly below the middle of the pack—both nationally and within Ohio. Starting at $46,000, graduates earn about $3,000 less than the typical Ohio business graduate and lag the national median by roughly the same amount. Within Ohio's 22 business programs, this ranks squarely at the 40th percentile, trailing in-state alternatives like Ohio State's Lima campus, University of Akron, and Ashland by $2,000-$4,000 annually.

The debt load of $25,769 is manageable relative to first-year earnings (0.56 ratio), though it's actually above Ohio's typical business program debt of $24,072. Graduates do see steady income progression, reaching $52,583 by year four—a 14% increase that suggests reasonable career trajectory. Still, even after four years, earnings remain several thousand dollars behind what graduates from comparable Ohio programs achieve in their first year out.

For Ohio families, this represents a functional but unremarkable choice. Your child will graduate with typical debt and earn below-average income compared to peers at other state schools. Given the 81% admission rate, families might consider whether nearby alternatives like Akron or Ashland—with similar accessibility but stronger earnings outcomes—might deliver better return on investment.