Business Administration, Management and Operations at Mount St. Joseph University
Associate's Degree
msj.eduAnalysis
Can an associate's degree in business management from a private university deliver comparable value to community college alternatives? Based on similar programs in Ohio, Mount St. Joseph's business degree faces a substantial debt hurdle. While projected first-year earnings around $37,000 align with the state median, the estimated $26,000 in debt is 63% higher than typical borrowing for business associate's programs statewide. That gap matters: nearby community colleges like Cincinnati State and Sinclair report their graduates earning $45,000-plus with significantly less debt, making the return on investment considerably stronger.
The 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable payments—you'd be looking at roughly $290 monthly on a standard plan versus pre-tax monthly income around $3,100. But when peer programs demonstrate both higher earnings and lower debt, that comparison point becomes less reassuring. Mount St. Joseph's moderately selective profile (57% admission rate, 1068 SAT) doesn't translate into an obvious earnings advantage for this credential level, at least based on what comparable Ohio programs produce.
If your child is committed to Mount St. Joseph for specific reasons—campus environment, support services, or a clear path to their bachelor's—verify exactly what graduates of *this* program are achieving and whether the debt load justifies the premium over community college options just miles away in Cincinnati. Without that program-specific data, the estimated numbers suggest you're potentially paying private school prices for median outcomes.
Where Mount St. Joseph University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business administration, management and operations associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Business Administration, Management and Operations associates's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (62 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,650 | $37,121* | — | $26,289* | — | |
| $23,700 | $47,611* | $32,435 | $22,950* | 0.48 | |
| $3,435 | $45,758* | $48,040 | $13,980* | 0.31 | |
| $5,400 | $45,389* | $47,213 | $16,689* | 0.37 | |
| $13,570 | $44,944* | $39,755 | $16,125* | 0.36 | |
| $6,554 | $44,944* | $39,755 | $16,125* | 0.36 | |
| National Median | — | $33,977* | — | $13,980* | 0.41 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with business administration, management and operations graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Financial Managers
Treasurers and Controllers
Investment Fund Managers
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Compensation and Benefits Managers
Human Resources Managers
Sales Managers
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 Mount St. Joseph 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 25 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.