Business Administration, Management and Operations at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus

Ohio University-Lancaster's Business Administration associate's program shows a troubling pattern that's hard to ignore, even accounting for the small sample size: graduates actually earn less four years out than they do immediately after completing the degree. That $3,400 decline runs counter to what you'd expect from career progression and raises questions about the program's ability to launch students into roles with growth potential.

The initial $36,935 salary beats the national median slightly and keeps debt manageable at $12,750—a reasonable 0.35 ratio that most graduates should handle without severe strain. However, this program ranks only in the 40th percentile among Ohio business programs, sitting well below the state median of $37,121 and far behind stronger options like Sinclair Community College ($45,758) or Cincinnati State ($45,389). In a state with 62 programs to choose from, landing in the bottom half is notable.

The real concern is where graduates end up by year four. At $33,578, they're barely ahead of the national median and falling behind peers who attended other Ohio schools. For a parent weighing options in-state, the combination of modest starting salaries, downward earnings trajectory, and mid-pack debt makes this a questionable choice when stronger community college alternatives exist within Ohio's system. The small sample size means individual outcomes vary widely, but the available data doesn't make a compelling case for this particular program.