Business Administration, Management and Operations at Shawnee State University

Shawnee State's business program falls significantly short of both state and national benchmarks, placing graduates at a substantial earnings disadvantage. At $37,764 four years out, alumni earn roughly $8,000 less annually than the typical Ohio business graduate and nearly $24,000 below what peers at Miami University or Ohio State earn. Even within Ohio, this program ranks in just the 25th percentile—meaning three-quarters of comparable state programs deliver better financial outcomes.

The debt burden of $28,500 compounds the problem. While not catastrophic on its own, it represents 79% of first-year earnings, creating a tight financial squeeze for new graduates. That ratio would be manageable if salaries grew substantially, but earnings barely budge between years one and four—just a 4% increase over that span. For a degree that attracts many first-generation college students (35% receive Pell grants), these modest returns make loan repayment particularly challenging.

The fundamental issue here isn't that business graduates can't find work—it's that they're starting $9,000 behind the Ohio median and staying there. If your child is set on business at Shawnee State, they should minimize borrowing aggressively and have a clear plan for how this degree connects to specific career opportunities in southern Ohio's job market. Otherwise, Ohio offers dozens of business programs with demonstrably stronger earning trajectories.