Business Administration, Management and Operations at Ohio Business College-Sheffield

A debt load estimated at $25,555 significantly exceeds what comparable business associate's programs typically carry—nearly double the state median of $16,125 and 83% above the national benchmark. While similar programs in Ohio suggest first-year earnings around $37,000, there's a troubling signal here: this program reports actual fourth-year earnings of just $30,676, suggesting graduates may lose ground rather than advance. That's well below what top Ohio programs achieve—Sinclair and Cincinnati State graduates earn over $45,000—and raises questions about whether this particular pathway delivers on the typical business degree trajectory.

For families already stretched thin—85% of students here receive Pell grants—the combination of higher-than-average debt and potentially stagnant earnings creates real financial pressure. The estimated 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper, but that's based on optimistic first-year projections, not the lower actual earnings we see four years out. If that downward pattern holds, graduates could face a much tougher repayment reality than the numbers initially suggest.

Before committing here, families should directly ask the school why fourth-year earnings are so low and request placement data showing where graduates actually work. With dozens of Ohio programs producing stronger outcomes at lower cost, this particular route needs stronger evidence that it delivers value despite the elevated debt burden.