Business/Commerce (Associate's Degree) at Lourdes University

Est. Earnings (1yr)Estimated

$38,871

Est. from OH median (9 programs)

Est. Median DebtEstimated

$24,509

Est. from national median (19 programs)

Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.

Analysis

Similar business programs in Ohio suggest first-year earnings around $38,900, but the estimated debt load of $24,500 pushes this program above both the state median ($20,600) and well above the national median ($13,400) for associate business degrees. That 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio means owing roughly eight months of gross income—manageable compared to some bachelor's programs, but higher than what many Ohio community colleges deliver for the same credential.

The challenge here is that comparable programs demonstrate significant variation in outcomes. James A. Rhodes State College graduates earn about $6,400 more in their first year with similar credentials, suggesting that not all Ohio associate business programs produce equivalent returns. Without reported data specific to Lourdes, it's difficult to know whether this program performs closer to the state median or to stronger peers.

For families considering this investment, the practical question is whether the additional debt compared to state peers justifies the choice of Lourdes specifically—perhaps for location, support services, or transfer pathways to a bachelor's program. Given the uncertainty around actual outcomes and the availability of lower-debt alternatives producing similar estimated earnings, families should request placement data and alumni outcomes directly from the school before committing.

Where Lourdes University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Business/Commerce associates's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (31 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Lourdes UniversitySylvania	$28,930	$38,871*	—	$24,509*	—
James A. Rhodes State CollegeLima	$4,657	$45,238*	$37,556	—*	—
Kent State University at AshtabulaAshtabula	$7,272	$38,871*	$37,721	$20,565*	0.53
Kent State University at East LiverpoolEast Liverpool	$7,272	$38,871*	$37,721	$20,565*	0.53
Kent State University at TrumbullWarren	$7,272	$38,871*	$37,721	$20,565*	0.53
Kent State University at SalemSalem	$7,272	$38,871*	$37,721	$20,565*	0.53
National Median	—	$36,591*	—	$13,437*	0.37

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Lourdes University, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.