Business/Commerce at Central State University

Central State's business program ranks in the bottom 10% statewide for graduate earnings, with first-year graduates earning just $29,472—roughly $19,000 less than the typical Ohio business grad and $18,000 below the national median. Among the 22 Ohio schools offering this degree, only two produce lower earnings. Even strong in-state options like University of Akron ($49,049) and Ohio State-Lima ($48,597) deliver substantially better outcomes at similar or lower debt levels.

The debt burden compounds these concerns. Graduates carry $31,569 in loans—higher than both state and national medians—while earning significantly less. That 1.07 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe more than their entire first year's salary, creating financial strain right out of the gate. While earnings do grow 15% to $34,012 by year four, that still falls well short of what typical business majors earn immediately after graduation elsewhere in Ohio.

For families considering this program, the financial math is difficult to justify. Your child would likely graduate earning roughly half what peers at other Ohio public universities make, while carrying above-average debt. Unless Central State offers unique personal or community value that outweighs these economics, exploring other Ohio business programs—many at public institutions with lower out-of-state premiums—would likely serve your family's financial interests better.