Business Administration, Management and Operations at Ohio Dominican University

Similar programs across Ohio suggest first-year earnings around $37,000 for this associate's degree—roughly what you'd expect for business management credentials in the state. Where this program becomes harder to justify is the estimated debt load of over $26,000, nearly double the state median and close to Ohio Christian's reported figure despite that school's graduates earning $10,000 more annually. Community colleges like Sinclair and Cincinnati State produce comparable or better earnings outcomes at dramatically lower debt levels.

The 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates are looking at roughly eight months of gross income to cover their loans—manageable on paper, but that's assuming steady employment in a business management role right out of the gate. For an associate's degree that typically serves as either workforce entry or a transfer stepping stone, carrying $26,000 in debt limits flexibility considerably. If your child plans to continue toward a bachelor's, this debt compounds the cost of what's ahead.

Given that Ohio's community colleges are producing stronger outcomes for this same credential at a fraction of the cost, you'd need a compelling reason—specific program features, location constraints, or guaranteed transfer agreements—to justify Ohio Dominican's price point. The earnings potential doesn't appear strong enough to offset what comparable programs deliver more affordably elsewhere in the state.