Business Administration, Management and Operations at Wilmington College

Wilmington College's business program delivers earnings that punch above its weight, placing graduates in the 76th percentile nationally—well ahead of what you'd expect from a school with an 85% admission rate and modest SAT scores. Starting at $53,008, these graduates out-earn the typical Ohio business major by $7,400 annually, which matters considerably when you're paying in-state tuition at a regional campus.

The debt picture strengthens the value case. At $30,284, students borrow only moderately more than state and national averages, yet their superior earnings create a debt-to-income ratio of 0.57—manageable by any standard. While this doesn't match elite programs like Miami University (which starts graduates at $68,000), it costs substantially less to attend and still delivers solid career outcomes. The 60th percentile ranking within Ohio confirms this sits comfortably in the state's upper half, even competing against flagship universities.

The 5% earnings growth from year one to year four is the main limitation here—business majors typically see steeper salary curves. But for families seeking a reliable investment rather than maximum upside, Wilmington offers something valuable: a low-stress admissions path that leads to above-average earnings without crushing debt. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates means these outcomes are consistent, not outliers.