Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences at Stautzenberger College-Brecksville

Stautzenberger College-Brecksville manages to deliver strong outcomes in veterinary biomedical sciences while keeping debt remarkably low. With first-year earnings of $30,855 against just $21,335 in debt, graduates face a manageable 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning they owe less than 70% of their first year's income. That debt level sits at the 5th percentile nationally, making this one of the most affordable programs in the field. The program serves a predominantly working-class population, with 64% of students receiving Pell grants, yet still achieves earnings outcomes at the 95th percentile nationally.

The context matters here: veterinary biomedical sciences at the associate's level is extremely rare, with only seven programs nationwide and just two in Ohio. This explains why the national and state medians match exactly—there simply aren't many comparison points. The 60th percentile ranking within Ohio is less meaningful than it appears, given this tiny pool. What's clear is that graduates are entering the workforce with minimal debt burden in a specialized field where associate's degrees can provide direct pathways to veterinary support roles.

For families concerned about education costs, this program offers solid middle-income earnings with unusually low debt exposure. The $30,855 starting salary won't lead to early wealth, but paired with the modest borrowing required, it represents a practical entry point into animal healthcare careers without the crushing debt load common in many technical programs.