Business, Management, Marketing, at Xavier University

A debt load around $26,500 for a business degree that peers nationally suggest yields $50,740 in first-year earnings creates a manageable 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates would owe roughly half their annual salary. That's a workable starting point, particularly since Xavier draws from a more academically selective pool than many Ohio business programs. However, these figures come from similar programs nationally rather than Xavier's own tracked outcomes, so the actual picture for this specific program remains uncertain.

The concerning element is Ohio's business degree landscape itself. The state median for business programs sits at just $28,916—nearly $22,000 below what comparable programs nationally produce. Even Ohio's better-performing schools like Wilberforce reach only $31,290. If Xavier's actual outcomes track closer to state norms rather than national ones, that $26,500 debt becomes a heavier burden, pushing the ratio closer to 0.9 or beyond. The school's 88% admission rate and modest Pell grant enrollment (14%) suggest it serves primarily middle-income families who can't easily absorb an extended payback period.

The practical takeaway: Xavier's business program carries moderate estimated debt for what national peers suggest should be acceptable earnings, but Ohio's weak state outcomes for business degrees introduce real risk. Before committing, press the school directly for their actual graduate outcomes—starting salaries, job placement rates, where graduates work—to determine whether this program beats Ohio's disappointing state average or merely matches it.