Finance and Financial Management Services at Wright State University-Main Campus

Wright State's finance program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—below what you'd typically see at Ohio's flagship universities, but with one significant advantage: manageable debt. At $18,903, graduates leave with roughly 25% less debt than the typical Ohio finance student, while starting earnings of $52,534 fall about 10% below the state median of $58,790. Among Ohio's 43 finance programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile for earnings—not leading the field, but not trailing either.

The real question is whether the debt savings justify the earnings gap. A Wright State graduate might earn $7,000 less annually than someone from Ohio State or Miami, but they're also carrying $6,000-8,000 less debt. The 13% earnings growth over four years suggests steady career progression, though it doesn't dramatically close that gap with higher-ranked programs.

For families prioritizing affordability without sacrificing solid outcomes, Wright State delivers reasonable value—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 is quite comfortable. But if your child has admission prospects at Ohio State or Miami, those programs offer substantially higher earnings that could more than compensate for the additional borrowing over a career. This is a pragmatic choice rather than an aspirational one.