Kent State University at Salem
Kent State University at Salem — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Kent State University at Salem Worth It?
At a value score of 24/100, Kent State University at Salem is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,388 — 16% below average — while paying $13,799/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 30% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
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 Salem has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Kent State University at Salem compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #80 of 97 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 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #3 | New College of Florida | 100 | $7,195 | $48,082 |
| #4 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #5 | Haskell Indian Nations University | 90 | $3,134 | $37,043 |
| #6 | University of Minnesota-Morris | 90 | $8,837 | $50,919 |
| #80 | Kent State University at Salem | 24 | $13,799 | $45,388 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Kent State University at Salem's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 17 in OH.
Best Programs at Kent State University at Salem
The highest-earning program at Kent State University at Salem is Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at $46,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $33,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduate from Kent State University at Salem earns $46,800, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $33,800. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduates carry $26,625 in median debt vs. $27,511 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,799/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $46,800 | $46,800 | $26,625 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,800 | $33,800 | $27,511 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Salem, OH
- Student Body
- 1,164 students
- Graduation Rate
- 30%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,799
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,388
- Median Student Debt
- $24,500