Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Ohio University-Main Campus

Ohio University's networking program graduates earn above the national median right out of the gate, hitting $61,788 in year one—exactly at the 75th percentile nationally. The debt load of $19,500 is notably below both the national figure ($27,000) and produces a healthy 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans in under four months of gross income. Among Ohio's 11 networking programs, this sits at the 60th percentile for earnings, which is solid but not exceptional in-state.

The 12% earnings growth to $68,889 by year four suggests steady career progression, and the manageable debt means graduates aren't hamstrung by payments during those crucial early career years. However, the sample size here is quite small—under 30 graduates—so individual outcomes could vary more than these medians suggest. The identical earnings figures across multiple Ohio University campuses in the state comparison data also raise questions about how distinct these programs really are in practice.

For anxious parents, the core math works: your child would graduate with debt they could realistically handle on a tech salary, earning more than three-quarters of networking graduates nationwide. Just recognize that with such a small cohort, these numbers might shift significantly year to year, and the real-world experience could depend heavily on internships and personal networking rather than the program structure itself.