Criminal Justice and Corrections at Kent State University at Ashtabula

Kent State Ashtabula's criminal justice program delivers earnings well below what you'd find at most Ohio programs, though the modest debt load prevents this from becoming a financial disaster. Starting at just under $34,000, graduates earn roughly $3,000 less than the typical Ohio program and fall in the bottom quarter nationally. What's more telling: even the best-performing Ohio programs like Herzing University-Akron ($67,229) nearly double these starting salaries, suggesting this regional campus struggles to connect students with higher-paying law enforcement or corrections positions.

The 21% earnings growth to $41,097 by year four shows some upward mobility, but you're still looking at income that barely exceeds the state median for year-one graduates. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 means your child could reasonably manage the $25,937 in loans, but they'll be doing so on an entry-level salary that limits financial flexibility. For a field where career advancement often depends on which agency hires you and whether you pursue specialized roles, starting this far behind comparable programs is a meaningful handicap.

If your child is committed to criminal justice and prefers staying close to Ashtabula, this program won't bury them in debt. But if they can attend one of Ohio's stronger programs—even at moderately higher cost—the earnings premium would likely justify it within a few years of graduation.