Kent State University at Kent
Kent State University at Kent — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Kent State University at Kent Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Kent State University at Kent is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,388 — 16% below average — while paying $20,787/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 65% graduation rate means roughly 35% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $24,500 representing 54% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Kent State University at Kent has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Kent State University at Kent compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #70 of 100 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #2 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #3 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #6 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #70 | Kent State University at Kent | 35 | $20,787 | $45,388 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Kent State University at Kent's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in OH.
Best Programs at Kent State University at Kent
The highest-earning program at Kent State University at Kent is Computer Science at $61,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $16,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Kent State University at Kent earns $61,700, while a Music graduate earns $16,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $28,187 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,787/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $61,700 | $61,700 | $25,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,300 | $56,300 | $25,484 |
| Construction Management | $55,100 | $55,100 | $21,500 |
| Computer Systems Analysis | $49,500 | $49,500 | $23,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,700 | $48,700 | $24,750 |
| Industrial Engineering | $47,100 | $47,100 | $27,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $46,800 | $46,800 | $26,625 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $44,800 | $44,800 | $25,975 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $41,400 | $41,400 | $25,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,700 | $39,700 | $25,000 |
| Architecture | $39,100 | $39,100 | $26,000 |
| Air Transportation | $38,900 | $38,900 | $26,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $38,100 | $38,100 | $26,000 |
| Marketing | $37,500 | $37,500 | $25,000 |
| Legal Support Services | $36,800 | $36,800 | $26,500 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $36,800 | $36,800 | $25,595 |
| Engineering Technology, General | $36,600 | $36,600 | $29,625 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $36,300 | $36,300 | $26,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $36,000 | $36,000 | $26,000 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $36,000 | $36,000 | $25,000 |
| Chemistry | $35,800 | $35,800 | $24,625 |
| Mathematics | $35,400 | $35,400 | $20,626 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,800 | $33,800 | $27,511 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $33,700 | $33,700 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,100 | $33,100 | $26,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,200 | $32,200 | $25,042 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $32,100 | $32,100 | $25,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $31,300 | $31,300 | $26,000 |
| Journalism | $31,000 | $31,000 | $24,999 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $29,500 | $29,500 | $28,150 |
| Public Health | $29,300 | $29,300 | $27,345 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,900 | $28,900 | $26,000 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $27,900 | $27,900 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $27,300 | $27,300 | $25,940 |
| Biology, General | $27,200 | $27,200 | $25,000 |
| Education, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $26,955 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,200 | $26,200 | $26,000 |
| History | $25,800 | $25,800 | $27,409 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $25,200 | $25,200 | $25,000 |
| Sociology | $24,700 | $24,700 | $26,500 |
| Psychology, General | $24,200 | $24,200 | $26,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,100 | $23,100 | $25,839 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,200 | $22,200 | $29,725 |
| Political Science and Government | $22,000 | $22,000 | $27,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $21,300 | $21,300 | $25,989 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $20,500 | $20,500 | $23,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $18,400 | $18,400 | $26,000 |
| Music | $16,200 | $16,200 | $28,187 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Kent, OH
- Student Body
- 19,320 students
- Admission Rate
- 86%
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,787
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,388
- Median Student Debt
- $24,500