Business/Commerce at Ohio State University-Newark Campus

Ohio State-Newark's business program stands out for one simple reason: its graduates carry nearly $6,000 less debt than the typical Ohio business major while earning exactly the state median. That 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio means students borrow less than half of their first-year salary—substantially better than most programs that burden graduates with debt closer to their full annual income. At just under $20,000 in debt, this is genuinely affordable, ranking in the 89th percentile nationally for low debt loads.

The earnings trajectory looks stable rather than spectacular. Starting at $48,597, graduates see modest but steady growth to $54,191 by year four. While this trails DeVry grads by $8,000 and Franklin University by $3,000, it matches the state median precisely and edges above the national average. The campus serves a significant population of Pell recipients (34%), suggesting it provides access to students who might otherwise skip college entirely due to cost concerns.

For families prioritizing financial safety, this program delivers: below-average debt with average earnings creates a low-risk entry into business careers. Your child won't be among Ohio's highest earners, but they also won't spend years digging out from undergraduate debt. That's a reasonable tradeoff, especially for students planning to pursue graduate degrees later or those uncertain about their career direction.