Business Administration, Management and Operations at Cuyahoga Community College District

Cuyahoga Community College's business management associate's degree produces starting salaries that beat the national average by nearly $3,000, but there's a wrinkle: graduates are earning just below Ohio's state median and well behind the state's top programs. The first-year salary of $37,062 looks reasonable against the $12,159 debt load—a manageable 33% ratio that beats most competing programs on affordability. However, landing in the 40th percentile among Ohio business programs reveals this isn't a standout performer in a competitive state market where several colleges are helping graduates clear $45,000.

The bigger concern is stagnation. Earnings inch up only 3% over four years, reaching $38,108, while programs at Sinclair or Cincinnati State are launching graduates toward $45,000+ trajectories right from the start. For a parent in the Cleveland area, this creates a tough calculation: the program costs less than most alternatives and provides decent immediate earnings, but it's leaving substantial money on the table compared to other Ohio community colleges.

The takeaway: if your student is committed to staying local, this program offers solid value and manageable debt. But if they're willing to consider other Ohio community colleges within commuting distance, programs like Sinclair's business degree are opening doors to significantly higher earning potential from day one—a gap that appears to widen rather than close over time.