Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at James A. Rhodes State College

Similar IT management programs across Ohio suggest first-year earnings around $41,800—right at the state median but below what some peer programs achieve. Cincinnati State's graduates, for instance, earn about $600 more in their first year. The estimated $17,500 debt load, however, positions this program favorably: it's about $3,600 less than the state median and $4,000 below the national benchmark, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 that should be manageable on a typical tech support or junior systems administrator salary.

What's harder to assess is whether James A. Rhodes can match the stronger outcomes of programs like Cincinnati State, or if it's more aligned with Bryant & Stratton's graduates who earn considerably less. The small graduate cohort that led to data suppression raises questions about program size and stability. For families in the Lima area seeking affordable technical training, the debt picture looks reasonable based on comparable programs. But given that this field often values certifications and practical skills as much as degrees, parents should verify what specific technical credentials and hands-on experience students gain—details that matter more when the earnings track record isn't yet established at this particular school.