Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Kent State University at Ashtabula

Kent State Ashtabula's Allied Health program delivers something increasingly rare: above-average earnings paired with manageable debt. At $40,671 in first-year earnings, graduates earn more than 60% of similar programs in Ohio and 67% nationally—solid performance in a field where many programs cluster around $35,000-$36,000. The debt load of $28,878 ranks in the 9th percentile nationally (meaning 91% of programs carry higher debt), creating a favorable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates can manage within three years.

The tradeoff is limited earnings growth. Income essentially flatlines after graduation, rising just $577 over four years. This isn't unusual for allied health roles—many reach their earning potential quickly—but it means graduates shouldn't expect the trajectory they might see in nursing or other clinical fields. For students seeking stable employment with clear debt repayment prospects rather than long-term income growth, that's a reasonable exchange.

The practical takeaway: this program offers a faster, more affordable entry into healthcare than most alternatives. With one-third of students receiving Pell grants successfully completing the program, it's proving accessible to middle-income families. If your child wants healthcare work without the extended commitment of a bachelor's degree, this represents better-than-average value in Ohio's allied health landscape.