Business Administration, Management and Operations at Lake Erie College

Lake Erie College's business program sits squarely in the middle of Ohio's offerings, but the relatively modest debt load makes it worth a closer look. At $27,000, graduates carry roughly the state median debt while earning slightly less—$44,440 versus Ohio's $45,641 median. The 40th percentile ranking in Ohio tells you this isn't competing with major state universities (where graduates at Ohio State or Miami earn $60,000+), but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 is actually manageable compared to many private colleges.

The trajectory shows modest but steady growth, with earnings climbing to $47,036 by year four. That's not explosive, but it suggests graduates are gaining traction rather than stalling out. For context, this program costs students about $17,000 less in debt than what you'd see at many private liberal arts colleges, while delivering earnings that aren't dramatically lower than state schools.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. If your child is choosing between Lake Erie and a large state university, the state school likely offers better earning potential. But if you're comparing private colleges and concerned about debt accumulation, this program's combination of moderate debt and steady (if unspectacular) earnings could provide a safer financial foundation than pricier alternatives.