Business Administration, Management and Operations at Lakeland Community College

The debt load here demands attention: $23,200 is substantially higher than what most Ohio business associate's programs require—nearly $7,000 above the state median and more than $9,000 above the national benchmark. When first-year earnings from comparable programs in Ohio suggest around $37,000, that 0.62 debt ratio means graduates face over seven months of gross income tied up in student loans, which can strain budgets even for working adults who may already have other financial obligations.

The earnings trajectory offers some relief. By year four, median pay reaches $46,375, putting graduates within reach of what some of Ohio's better-performing programs deliver. That's competitive with Cincinnati State and other respected community colleges in the state, and suggests the degree does open doors to progression. Still, the gap between that four-year figure and where similar programs peak early—like Ohio Christian's $47,600—is narrow enough to question whether the higher debt at Lakeland makes financial sense.

For families weighing this option, the core issue is whether paying nearly 50% more in debt than peer programs is justified by the outcomes. Unless Lakeland offers unique geographic access or program features that matter specifically to your situation, other Ohio community colleges appear to deliver comparable career results with significantly less borrowing. That difference—potentially thousands in interest over the repayment period—matters more than marketing promises about career services or campus culture.