Health/Medical Preparatory Programs at Kent State University at Ashtabula

Kent State Ashtabula's health/medical preparatory program punches well above its weight class, posting first-year earnings of $41,924—matching its flagship Kent campus and outperforming Ohio State. That's 25% above the national median and puts graduates in the 82nd percentile nationally. The debt load of $27,000 sits just slightly above state and national norms, but the strong earnings make this manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64.

What makes this particularly noteworthy is the trajectory: earnings grow to $48,056 by year four, a solid 15% increase that suggests graduates are progressing in their careers rather than hitting a ceiling. Among Ohio's 20 programs in this field, this ranks at the 60th percentile—respectable middle-of-the-pack performance at the state level, but exceptional when viewed nationally. For a regional campus serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (34%), these outcomes are impressive.

The main limitation is the moderate sample size, which means results could shift year to year. But for families seeking an affordable pre-health pathway, this program delivers strong preparation without the premium price tag of larger campuses, while producing competitive earnings that exceed most peer institutions in Ohio.