Analysis
Ohio State Lima's psychology program stands out for its impressive earnings trajectory, with graduates seeing a 38% salary jump from $32,276 in year one to $44,475 by year four. This growth pattern significantly outpaces typical psychology programs and helps explain why the program ranks in the 60th percentile among Ohio schools, despite a modest starting salary.
The debt picture offers another advantage: at $22,145, graduates carry about $3,000 less debt than both the national and state medians for psychology programs. Combined with the strong earnings growth, this creates a debt-to-income ratio of 0.69—manageable by most standards. While the program doesn't crack the top tier of Ohio psychology programs (Kenyon leads at $39,203), it delivers solid value through its combination of reasonable debt and strong earning potential over time.
For parents weighing this investment, the numbers suggest Ohio State Lima's psychology program rewards patience. The modest starting salary shouldn't overshadow the program's strength in developing graduates who command higher wages as they gain experience. With robust sample size backing these figures, this represents a financially sound choice for students planning to leverage their psychology degree in the workforce.
Where Ohio State University-Lima Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Ohio State University-Lima Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State University-Lima Campus | $32,276 | $44,475 | +38% |
| University of Dayton | $32,953 | $50,757 | +54% |
| Miami University-Middletown | $36,190 | $46,978 | +30% |
| Miami University-Hamilton | $36,190 | $46,978 | +30% |
| Miami University-Oxford | $36,190 | $46,978 | +30% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (74 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ohio State University-Lima CampusLima | $9,212 | $32,276 | $44,475 | $22,145 | 0.69 |
 Kenyon CollegeGambier | $69,330 | $39,203 | $42,073 | $19,000 | 0.48 |
 Muskingum UniversityNew Concord | $31,440 | $37,636 | $34,807 | $27,625 | 0.73 |
 John Carroll UniversityUniversity Heights | $49,100 | $36,602 | $43,225 | $27,000 | 0.74 |
 Miami University-HamiltonHamilton | $7,278 | $36,190 | $46,978 | $24,094 | 0.67 |
| Miami University-MiddletownMiddletown | $7,278 | $36,190 | $46,978 | $24,094 | 0.67 |
| National Median | — | $31,482 | — | $25,500 | 0.81 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Psychologists, All Other
Neuropsychologists
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Managers, All Other
Loss Prevention Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
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 Ohio State University-Lima Campus, approximately 31% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 479 graduates with reported earnings and 665 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.