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

Ohio University-Southern Campus delivers surprisingly strong initial earnings for its business graduates, with first-year salaries of $57,006 placing the program in the 89th percentile nationally—well above the national median of $45,703. However, there's a concerning pattern here: earnings actually decline to $53,818 by year four, representing a 6% drop that suggests graduates may be hitting an early career ceiling.

The debt picture is reasonable at $25,000, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44. This debt load is slightly better than both national and Ohio medians. While the program ranks in the 60th percentile within Ohio—meaning it's above average but not exceptional compared to in-state alternatives—it significantly outperforms on the national stage. The earnings decline is the real red flag, as most business programs show growth over the first four years post-graduation.

For an anxious parent, this program offers solid immediate job placement and manageable debt, but the earnings trajectory raises questions about long-term career advancement potential. Your child would start strong but may need to be particularly strategic about leveraging that first job into better opportunities, since the data suggests many graduates don't see natural salary progression. This could work well for a student who plans to use the degree as a stepping stone or who values the lower-risk financial profile over maximum earning potential.