Business, Management, Marketing, at Notre Dame College

Notre Dame College's business program delivers first-year earnings of just $26,541—roughly half the national median for business graduates and even below Ohio's modest state median of $28,916. While the 40th percentile ranking among Ohio programs might suggest middle-of-the-pack performance, that's misleading: Ohio business programs collectively underperform the national market, and this program sits near the bottom of an already weak field. The $30,000 in typical debt creates a challenging 1.13 debt-to-earnings ratio that will strain most graduates' budgets.

The real concern here isn't just the immediate post-graduation salary—it's what that $26,541 signals about job placement and career trajectory. Business degrees typically offer strong early earnings, but this program's outcomes land in the 5th percentile nationally. Even accounting for Cleveland's lower cost of living, these numbers suggest graduates are landing in entry-level retail or administrative roles that don't require a bachelor's degree. Nearby Wilberforce University's business graduates earn $31,290, nearly 18% more, suggesting this underperformance isn't simply a regional issue.

For families considering this investment, the math is stark: your child would need to find a job paying nearly $10,000 more annually just to reach the already-modest Ohio median for business graduates. Unless there are compelling personal circumstances keeping your student in this specific program, exploring stronger business schools—even within Ohio's limited options—would likely yield better returns.