Business Administration, Management and Operations at Lorain County Community College

Lorain County Community College's Business Administration program offers modest but steady earnings growth—graduates earn $38,120 initially and see that climb to $43,392 within four years. While that starting salary trails Ohio's top-performing programs by $7,000-$9,000, it beats both the national median ($34,000) and sits comfortably above the 50th percentile among Ohio community colleges offering this degree.

The real strength here is the debt picture: at just $10,815, graduates owe about $5,300 less than the typical Ohio student in this program. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28—manageable by any standard—meaning most graduates should be able to pay this off within a few years of steady employment. The combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings creates a relatively low-risk pathway into business careers, particularly for students who need to minimize college costs.

The catch? This data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary more than usual. Still, for a family weighing community college options in Northeast Ohio, this program delivers exactly what an associate degree should: marketable skills, reasonable earnings, and minimal debt that won't derail other life goals. It's not a fast track to $50,000 salaries, but it's a financially sound foundation.