Business/Commerce at Kent State University at Ashtabula

Kent State Ashtabula's business associate degree performs right at Ohio's median for earnings—landing at $38,871 first-year—but that plateau becomes a problem when you look ahead. While graduates earn slightly above the national median and carry manageable debt at $20,565 (well below both state and national averages), earnings actually slip to $37,721 by year four. This backward movement is concerning for a program that should be building toward better opportunities.

The debt picture offers some reassurance. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53, graduates can realistically manage their loans, and they're borrowing less than peers at other Ohio business programs. About a third of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves working-class families who need affordable options. However, "affordable" matters less if the credential doesn't open doors to career progression.

The real question is whether this associate degree serves as a stepping stone to better roles or a bachelor's program, or if it's meant as a terminal credential. If your child plans to continue their education, the manageable debt makes this a reasonable starting point. But if they're expecting the associate degree alone to launch a business career with growing earnings, the stagnant salary trajectory suggests they may need additional credentials or experience to move up. Compare this carefully against direct entry to a bachelor's program if that's financially feasible.