Computer Systems Analysis at Kent State University at Kent

Kent State's Computer Systems Analysis program delivers something increasingly rare: strong earnings paired with manageable debt. At $25,000 in median debt—roughly half the national benchmark for this degree—graduates enter the workforce with financial flexibility that compounds over time. The first-year salary of $55,790 is solid but not spectacular; the real story emerges by year four, when earnings jump to $74,118. That 33% growth trajectory suggests graduates are gaining marketable skills that employers increasingly value.

Within Ohio's small cohort of four schools offering this program, Kent State ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings while maintaining significantly lower debt than the state median of $35,500. You're paying less and earning more than most in-state alternatives. The program also outperforms 65% of similar programs nationally, which matters if your child considers relocating after graduation.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with less than six months of their first-year salary—a comfortable position for launching a career. For a family looking at accessible state schools (Kent's 87% admission rate makes it realistic for most students), this program offers a pragmatic path into tech without the debt burden that often shadows CS degrees at more expensive institutions.