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

Kent State's allied health program shows an unusual earnings trajectory that deserves careful scrutiny. Graduates earn $59,567 in their first year—outperforming the Ohio median by $7,000 and ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. However, by year four, median earnings drop to $45,388, a 24% decline that's hard to explain through typical career progression. This pattern suggests graduates may be moving into lower-paying roles, changing fields, or facing limited advancement opportunities within their initial career path.

The debt picture is one clear positive: at $31,000, borrowers carry only slightly more than the state median, and the first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 is manageable. Graduates should be able to handle these payments comfortably—assuming their earnings remain stable. That's the critical uncertainty here. While top Ohio programs like Cincinnati and Toledo show graduates earning $66,000-$75,000, Kent State's first-year outcomes are competitive for the state, just not elite.

For families, the key question is what's driving that earnings decline. If your child has a clear career goal within allied health and plans to pursue graduate education or specialized certifications after getting work experience, starting here could make financial sense. But if the plan is to enter the workforce and stay in the same role long-term, this program's four-year outcomes raise legitimate concerns about career trajectory. Press the program for placement details and what percentage of graduates remain in their initial field.