Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Kent State University at Ashtabula

Kent State Ashtabula's allied health program sits squarely in the middle of Ohio's offerings—landing at the 40th percentile statewide—but trails the national median by about $7,500 in first-year earnings. Graduates start at $46,778, which means this program lags behind stronger Ohio options like Cincinnati State ($65,094) or Lakeland Community College ($58,299) by substantial margins. The moderate debt load of $18,000 matches the state median and keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio reasonable at 0.38, meaning graduates owe less than five months of their starting salary.

The 22% earnings growth to $57,259 by year four is a positive sign that the credential opens doors to better-paying positions over time. For families watching costs, this program won't bury students in debt—a third of students receive Pell grants, and the $18,000 burden is manageable compared to what many programs demand. Still, the starting salary matters, especially when other community colleges in Ohio are producing graduates who earn $10,000-$18,000 more right out of the gate.

If you're committed to staying in the Ashtabula area or Kent State specifically, this program offers an affordable entry into allied health careers. But if geography is flexible, exploring Cincinnati State or Lakeland could deliver significantly better returns on a similar investment.