Finance and Financial Management Services at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State's finance program delivers exceptional value that outperforms national expectations significantly. With graduates earning $65,181 in their first year—nearly $12,000 above the national median for finance programs—this represents 88th percentile performance nationally. The debt load of $20,500 is notably lower than both national ($23,332) and Ohio state averages ($25,000), creating a highly favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31.

While the program ranks in the 60th percentile within Ohio specifically, this reflects the state's particularly strong finance education landscape rather than any weakness. Ohio State holds its own among the state's top programs, with earnings nearly matching premium private schools like Case Western Reserve ($65,784) at a fraction of the cost and debt burden. The 26% earnings growth to $82,036 by year four demonstrates strong career trajectory potential.

The combination of above-average starting salaries, below-average debt, and Ohio State's established recruiting relationships with major financial firms creates compelling ROI. For families seeking a finance degree that delivers both immediate earning power and manageable debt, this program represents excellent value—especially compared to higher-cost alternatives that may not justify their premium through meaningfully better outcomes.