Business/Commerce at James A. Rhodes State College

First-year earnings of $45,238 put this program well above most associate-level business programs nationally, landing in the 95th percentile. That's impressive—until you see where graduates stand four years later. Earnings drop to $37,556, a 17% decline that's unusual for any credential. While the estimated debt of around $20,565 (based on similar programs at Rhodes State) creates a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio initially, that calculation assumes earnings stay strong. The backward trajectory changes the math considerably.

What explains this pattern? One possibility: graduates may start in higher-paying entry-level roles that don't offer much advancement without a bachelor's degree, leading them to accept lower-paying but more stable positions later. Another scenario is that strong local employer relationships help graduates land well initially, but limited growth opportunities push them to plateau or pivot. Either way, the first-year success doesn't translate into sustained earning power.

For parents, the key question is trajectory. If your child plans to use this associate degree as a stepping stone to a bachelor's—which many business students do—that strong first-year salary could help pay down debt quickly before transferring. But as a terminal credential, this program's earnings pattern suggests limited upward mobility. The debt level is reasonable for the initial salary, but four years out, graduates are earning less than typical associate-level business grads in Ohio while carrying higher debt loads.