Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Kent State University at Geauga

This Kent State Geauga nursing program presents a concerning value proposition, with graduates earning significantly below both national and Ohio averages. While first-year earnings of $66,990 aren't terrible in absolute terms, they rank in just the 13th percentile nationally and 40th percentile within Ohio—meaning 60% of Ohio nursing programs produce better-earning graduates. More troubling is the negative earnings growth, with graduates actually earning $4,500 less four years post-graduation, suggesting limited career advancement opportunities.

The debt picture is mixed but manageable. At $26,250, student debt is slightly below both national and state medians, resulting in a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39. However, when you can attend top Ohio programs like Chamberlain ($83,188 earnings) or Kettering College ($79,505) that deliver $15,000-20,000 higher starting salaries, the opportunity cost becomes significant. Even mid-tier Ohio programs substantially outperform Kent State Geauga.

The robust sample size gives confidence in these numbers, making this an "early peak" program where graduates start modestly and plateau quickly. For Ohio families, this program represents a safe but underwhelming investment—you'll likely find work as a nurse, but you'll earn considerably less than peers from stronger programs with similar debt loads.