Computer Science at Kent State University at Kent

Kent State's computer science program starts below par but shows something more valuable than a high starting salary: substantial career momentum. While graduates earn $60,051 initially—landing in just the 24th percentile among CS programs both nationally and within Ohio—their earnings jump 45% to nearly $87,000 by year four. That's not just catching up; that's establishing a strong mid-career trajectory.

The $25,000 median debt sits slightly above state and national averages, but translates to a manageable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio at graduation. For context, graduates earn enough in their first year to pay off their debt in roughly 5 months of gross income. Within Ohio's competitive CS landscape—where Case Western leads at $96,000 and regional competitors like Cedarville and Franklin cluster in the mid-$70,000s—Kent State graduates trail initially but close much of that gap by year four.

This program works for families prioritizing long-term career development over immediate salary, particularly given Kent State's 87% admission rate makes it accessible to students who might not qualify for more selective Ohio tech programs. The trajectory suggests employers value what Kent State teaches, even if the initial job placements lag behind peers. If your child is willing to build experience for a few years rather than maximize year-one earnings, the combination of reasonable debt and strong growth makes this a solid choice.