Educational/Instructional Media Design at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

This program's stellar numbers need context: with fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset, these figures might not represent typical outcomes. That said, the $57,194 starting salary with just $19,294 in debt creates a remarkably healthy 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with about four months of gross income.

The 95th national percentile ranking is less impressive than it appears. Only 18 schools nationwide report data for this certificate, and Bowling Green's earnings exactly match both the national and state medians at $57,194. In Ohio, where just two programs exist, this ranks 60th percentile—essentially middle of the pack for the state. The low debt (5th percentile nationally) is the real standout, suggesting either strong institutional aid or that many students already hold advanced degrees and need minimal coursework.

For parents, the key question is whether this certificate opens new career doors or simply adds a credential to an existing education background. The positive debt picture makes it a relatively low-risk investment, but the small sample size means your child's outcome could vary significantly from these medians. If the goal is pivoting into instructional design or educational technology roles, the manageable debt gives graduates flexibility while they establish themselves in the field.