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

Kent State's allied health associate degree produces graduates who start around $47,000—below both the national median ($54,000) and trailing most Ohio programs. While this puts the program in the 40th percentile statewide, it's more concerning that graduates rank in just the 22nd percentile nationally. Ohio community colleges like Cincinnati State and Lakeland are producing graduates who earn $10,000-$18,000 more right out of the gate, suggesting students can find significantly better value without leaving the state.

The financial picture isn't terrible—$18,000 in debt means graduates owe roughly five months of first-year salary, which is manageable. Earnings do grow 22% by year four, reaching $57,000, but this growth merely brings graduates closer to where many peer programs start. The moderate sample size adds some uncertainty, though the pattern is clear enough.

For families comparing options, this matters: if your child can access one of Ohio's stronger community college allied health programs, they'd likely start their career with considerably higher earnings and similar or lower debt. Kent State works as a backup option, but it shouldn't be the first choice for an in-demand field where better-performing programs are widely available across the state.